CAPTION: The Philippine flag is flown in half-mast at the House of Representatives in accordance with Republic Act 8491 (Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines) following the issuance of Proclamation 728. RA 8491 requires 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.
SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Monday called on Filipinos to show their love to those who “tragically died” in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, and likewise honor them during this “Day of National Mourning.”
“Let this day be a reminder that we are bound together, that we are a nation defined not just by resilience but by our deep compassion for one another,” the leader of the House of Representatives said, as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. issued Proclamation No. 728.
“As we observe this Day of National Mourning, let each of us find it in our hearts to offer a moment of prayer, a word of comfort, or a gesture of kindness for those who are grieving and those who are rebuilding their lives,” Speaker Romualdez added.
About 150 Filipinos, mostly from the Bicol Region that suffered the most from massive record-high flooding, perished from the storm. “Our fellow Filipinos – mothers, fathers, children, friends, neighbors – are no longer with us.”
“They leave behind loved ones who carry the heavy burden of loss, and entire communities touched by sorrow,” Speaker Romualdez said. “It is a day for every Filipino to pause, reflect, and honor the memory of those whose lives were tragically taken by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.”
“May the souls of those who perished rest in peace, and may we, as one Filipino family, find strength in each other as we move forward. Together, let us remember, let us grieve, and let us help one another rise from this tragedy with renewed hope and unity,” the House chief said.
“To each family mourning the loss of a loved one, we stand beside you, sharing in your pain. Your heartbreak is felt by the entire nation, and today, in this national moment of remembrance, you are not alone,” Speaker Romualdez assured the bereaved families.
“This day of mourning calls us to compassion and solidarity. As we remember those lost, we extend our deepest sympathies to every family affected, to every community struggling to recover,” the administration stalwart and president of the ruling Lakas-CMD party stated.
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