President Marcos has declared Monday, Nov. 4, as a Day of National Mourning for the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine which ravaged several parts of the country last month.

In his Proclamation No. 728, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin on Oct. 30, Marcos said he is one with the entire country in mourning the tragic loss of life caused by the storm.

"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.

"The onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine caused the loss of lives and tremendous destruction of property, including immense damage to agriculture and critical infrastructure 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," he added.

With this, the President has ordered that the National Flag be flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on Nov. 4 on all government buildings and installations throughout the Philippines and abroad.

"[U]nder 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," he wrote.

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine ravaged several parts of the country from Oct. 21 to 25, bringing torrential rains and violent winds that triggered widespread flooding and landslides and drastically affected the lives of many Filipinos.

Based on a report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as of Oct. 30, 2024, Typhoon Kristine affected a total of 1,788,630 families or 7,033,922 individuals.

It likewise caused 139 casualties nationwide.

On Nov. 1, President Marcos said the government will not stop until all those who need help in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Kristine are reached, even in the areas of his political rivals.

He expressed commitment that the government would strengthen its national and local disaster risk reduction response as he reiterated that the changing weather condition is already "part of our life."

"Hindi tayo titigil hanggat di pa nakakabangon ang lahat. Walang pagod ang ating mga ahensya (We will not stop until everybody has recovered. Our government agencies will not get tired)," he said.

Marcos also vowed that the government will strengthen its response against climate change to lessen casualties during calamities, lessen the number of affected individuals, and protect small communities and people's livelihoods.