Nov. 4 declared 'National Day of Mourning' for victims of tropical storm Kristine
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. declared Nov. 4 as the "Day of National Mourning" for those who died during the onslaught of severe tropical storm Kristine last week.
In his Proclamation No. 728, the President said that the declaration was made "in solidarity with the bereaved families and loved ones of those who perished due to the devastation brought by severe tropical storm Kristine."
The storm brought severe downpour and violent winds that caused widespread flooding and landslides across the country from Oct. 21 to 25.
This resulted in "the loss of lives and tremendous destruction of property, including immense damage to agriculture and critical infrastructures and lifelines, as well as the disruption of the means of livelihood, and the normal way of life of the people, especially in the affected areas."
According to a report by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, a total of 1,788,630 families or 7,033,922 individuals were affected from the storm. Of this number, 139 were casualties.
"The nation deeply moums this tragic loss, and joins the families and loved ones of our departed brothers and sisters in this moment of immense sorrow," the proclamation read.
With this, the national flag will be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on all government buildings and installations throughout the Philippines and abroad on Monday, Nov. 4.
The entire nation is also requested to "offer prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims."
Some of the areas that were hit the hardest by Kristine were Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Bicol, and Quezon.