Aquino urged to declare nat’l day of mourning for ‘Yolanda’ fatalities

Tacloban City is reduced to vast wasteland after the onslaught of super typhoon “Yolanda.” Video by INQUIRER.net’s Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines – Opposition Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Tuesday urged President Benigno Aquino III to declare a national day of mourning for the people who perished from supetyphoon “Yolanda.”

Ejercito, in a statement, also urged Aquino to order all government agencies and schools in the country to fly the Philippine flag at half-staff “to signify sympathy and respect to the families and victims of the super typhoon.”

The senator made the proposals as he lauded the President for declaring a state of national calamity.

President Benigno Aquino III INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Aquino’s move, he said, came just hours after he filed a resolution Monday, calling for the declaration of a state of national calamity.

Ejercito said there was indeed a need to declare a state of national calamity to expedite the relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts by the government and private sector, including international humanitarian assistance.

“This will also ensure to put a price freeze on the basic commodities, thus, will prevent the profiteering and hoarding of prime goods, medicines and petroleum products needed by the victims,” he  said.

“This move is just one of the steps to help the survivors of the super typhoon in rebuilding their lives and putting back normalcy in the affected regions,” the senator added.

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