Flags at half-mast in Bicol as region mourns ‘Kristine’ victims

By Ernesto Delgado

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Bicol region observed a day of mourning on November 4, with Philippine flags flying at half-mast across the region in remembrance of the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared the day of mourning in recognition of the significant damage to agriculture and infrastructure, as well as the high number of deaths and families affected by the storm.

Flags at schools, police headquarters, government offices, ferry terminals, airports, and other facilities were lowered from sunrise to sunset, as reported by local news reporter Edarlito Doremon.

“People in Bicol join the entire nation in mourning the typhoon casualties,” Doremon said.

Social media users also expressed their condolences to the bereaved families and loved ones of those who perished in the storm.

“Rest in peace po sa inyo (to you). Taga–Masbate ini sinda (They are from Masbate),” commented Sab Laurio Bombales, who posted on Facebook the picture of a woman and her four children, all of whom perished in a landslide that buried the family home near Taal Vocano in Batangas.

“Condolence to the husband and father. Kasaklap na pangyari (It’s terrible),” stated Remy Alburo.

In Masbate, some local officials offered prayers for the everlasting peace of the souls of the casualties.

“Before we started office, we offered prayers for the eternal repose of the souls of the victims,” said Jamon Espares, a councilor of Masbate City.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that as of the weekend, the number of fatalities had risen to 150 as a result of the combined impacts of Kristine and Supertyphoon Leon (also known as Kong-rey).

The NDRRMC also reported that Kristine and Leon affected 8.53 million people (2.179 million families) and caused P7.35 billion in infrastructure damage.

The Bicol region had the highest number of affected individuals at 3.02 million, followed by Central Luzon at 1.09 million and Calabarzon at 1.01 million.

The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol previously reported that the region, which was among the most severely affected by Kristine, incurred over P6.7 billion in damages to agriculture, infrastructure, and other government assets.

Kristine, the 11th cyclone to hit the country this year, caused heavy rainfall in Bicol, leading to landslides and severe flooding.

“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,” President Marcos said in Proclamation 728.

The display of the national flag at half-mast is a “sign of mourning during tragedies of national significance,” according to RA 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

Violent typhoons hit the island nation every year, which is located along the typhoon belt in the Pacific. (PIA5)