Marcos declares Nov. 4 ‘Day of National Mourning’

GONE TOO SOON Families and friends mourn 19 of 150 total deaths across the country. —Richard A. Reyes

MANILA, Philippines — Flags will fly at half-mast on Monday after President Marcos declared Nov. 4 as a “Day of National Mourning” for those who died during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

The President declared the day of mourning in Proclamation No. 728, dated Oct. 30, citing the extensive damage to agriculture and infrastructure in many parts of the country and the staggering number of deaths and affected families.

In its latest reports, the government said bad weather over the past two weeks affected 8.53 million individuals and caused damage to infrastructure, which ballooned to P7.35 billion.

“The nation deeply mourns this tragic loss and joins the families and loved ones of our departed brothers and sisters in this moment of immense sorrow,” Marcos said in the issuance.

READ: NDRRMC: Reported deaths due to Kristine climb to 146

The President declared a Day of National Mourning “in solidarity with the bereaved families and loved ones of those who perished” due to the bad weather.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported as of Thursday the death toll has reached 150 due to the combined effects of Kristine and Supertyphoon Leon (international name: Kong-rey).

Marcos requested the Filipino people to “offer prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims.”

As mandated by Republic Act No. 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, the national flag will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset at all government buildings and installations here in the Philippines and abroad.

Combined wrath

The display of the national flag at half-mast is a “sign of mourning during tragedies of national significance.”

The NDRRMC, meanwhile, on Saturday said the combined wrath of Kristine and Leon affected 8.53 million individuals, or 2.179 million families, and caused damage to infrastructure, which ballooned to P7.35 billion.

In its latest bulletin, the NDRRMC said the Bicol region has the most number of affected individuals at 3.02 million followed by Central Luzon at 1.09 million and Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon) at 1.01 million.

60,367 families reeling

According to the disaster agency, a total of 261,612 persons, or 60,367 families, were still in various evacuation centers as floods, landslides and strong winds were affecting several areas in the country.

It said a total of 178,747 houses were damaged, with 14,601 totally damaged and 164,146 partially damaged.

Agricultural losses were more than P4 billion.

The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol earlier reported that the region, one of the hardest-hit regions by Kristine, sustained more than P6.7 billion in damage to agriculture, infrastructure and other government properties.

A total of 186 roads, mostly in Calabarzon and the Bicol region have remained impassable while 34 bridges were still not passable, the NDRRMC said.

‘Conveyor belt of aid’

It added that the government has so far provided P1.124 billion worth of assistance to the typhoon victims, as 241 cities and municipalities have been placed in a state of calamity.

Marcos has ordered “a conveyor belt of aid” to ensure the continuous delivery of assistance to the typhoon-hit areas.

Kristine, the 11th storm to hit the country this year, left the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Oct. 25 while Leon left the PAR early Friday.