Marcos declares November 4 as day of national mourning for Kristine victims

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has issued Proclamation No. 728, declaring Monday, November 4, a day of national mourning for the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) that recently ravaged parts of the country.

“With the President’s October 30 issuance signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, 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) [No.] 8491 and following the issuance of Proclamation [No.] 728,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement on Saturday, November 2.

Based on RA 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines’ implementing rules and regulations, the Philippine flag will be flown at half-mast in places where it is placed. Flags are flown at half-mast when tragedies strike, like deaths of Philippine presidents, among others.

Before making landfall in Isabela last October 24, Kristine first affected some parts of Bicol region, where it destroyed roads and caused massive flooding.

As of Wednesday, October 30, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported at least 145 people were killed due to the combined effects of Kristine and Leon (Kong-rey), the super typhoon that followed.

Citing the NDRRMC, the PCO said Kristine affected a total of 1,788,630 families or 7,033,922 individuals. – Rappler.com