Nov. 4 declared as Day of Nat’l Mourning for ‘Kristine’ victims

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

LAST LOOK. Relatives spend their final minutes before burying 10 of 20 landslide victims at Talisay Public Cemetery in Batangas on Tuesday (Oct. 29, 2024). The tragedy in Barangay Sampaloc occurred during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine on Oct. 24. (PNA photo by Joan Bondoc)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has issued Proclamation 728, declaring Nov. 4 as a Day of National Mourning, in memory of the lives lost during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami).

The national flag shall be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on all government buildings and installations across the country and abroad on Monday, in accordance with Republic Act (RA) 8941 and following the issuance of Proclamation 728.

According to RA 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, the Philippine Flag shall be flown at half-mast on all buildings and places where it is displayed as a sign of mourning during tragedies of national significance, as ordered by the Office of the President.

The proclamation was issued “in solidarity with the bereaved families and loved ones of those who perished due to the devastation brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.”

“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,” he said in the proclamation.

The President urged the nation to offer prayers for those who lost their lives in the tragedy.

From Oct. 21 to 25, Kristine brought torrential rains and violent winds that triggered widespread flooding and landslides, killing at least 145 people. Several others were hurt and some remained missing.

The onslaught also caused tremendous destruction of property, including immense damage to agriculture and critical infrastructures and lifelines, as well as the disruption of livelihoods and the normal way of life of the people, especially in the affected areas.

Kristine and Typhoon Leon affected 2,179,856 families or 8,534,215 persons.