Marcos Mourns Kristine Victims, Says Gov’t Response Never Enough

The government’s response to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine is not enough, President Marcos admitted on Monday, Nov. 4, as he directed concerned agencies to enhance flood and landslide preparedness measures and disaster early warning systems.

Speaking to reporters after distributing aid to storm-affected residents in Laurel, Batangas, Marcos said a single fatality caused by a disaster is already a “terrible tragedy.”

“I’ll tell you the truth, it’s never enough. It’s never enough,” the President said.

“I wish we could do more. We are doing everything that we can but… You know when you lose a life, you lose a life. What can you do about that? It’s (a) terrible tragedy,” he added.

A total of 146 people have died and 130 others injured from the combined effects of Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon as of Monday morning, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Twenty people remain missing while 2.2 million families or 8.63 million people have been affected by the cyclones, the NDRRMC reported.

In a speech, Marcos assured the public of enhanced government response and stronger resolve to rehabilitate areas severely affected by typhoons in the future.

“I reiterate that the agencies of the government should enhance their preparedness against floods and landslides. We directed the DOST (Department of Science and Technology) to improve their warning system,” Marcos said.

The President also instructed agencies to make the gradual release of dam water ahead of typhoons a standard operating procedure to avoid huge floods.

Agencies like the public works department and the environment department were also directed to revise the flood control master plan so the country’s infrastructure can withstand floods that were supposed to occur every one hundred years but have now become more frequent.

“We are also pushing for a modern design that would protect roads and bridges and ensure that they are durable and appropriate to our climate,” the Chief Executive said.

According to Marcos, the administration is working to make it easier for local governments to access the NDRRMC fund so they could promptly repair damaged facilities and restore the livelihood of affected communities.

“What we are doing in Batangas, we will also do in places ravaged by Kristine and Leon,” he said.

“When it comes to calamities, I will not be contented with the reports sent to me. I want to personally see if the rehabilitation in the affected areas are progressing.”

The President reiterated his directive to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources and other agencies to revise their flood control master plans.

The President stressed the importance of modern, climate-resilient designs for roads and bridges, ensuring these structures are safe, durable and adaptable to the changing climate.

Marcos also ordered the DPWH to prioritize repairs of the Bayuyungan bridge and roads in Agoncillo.

He likewise committed to finish the Taal Lake Circumferential Road and Lobo Malabrogo-San Juan Laiya Road.

Marcos also directed the Department of Trade and Industry to ensure that all construction materials meet standards for quality, safety and climate adaptability.

“It is not enough that the infrastructure projects are completed by the DPWH on schedule. It is also necessary that the materials and the construction of these projects are definitely of high quality, safe, and can last amid changing weather patterns,” he said.

The President led the distribution of various forms of assistance, including shelter materials, to families affected by Kristine in Batangas.

With the President at Monday’s relief distribution were Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Secretary (DHSUD) Jose Rizalino Acuzar and other Cabinet officials.

Marcos turned over 159 kits of housing materials from DHSUD to affected residents in Talisay, while 200 kits were distributed in Agoncillo.

The Metrobank Foundation, through DHSUD, donated housing materials worth P6 million for the two towns.

The President also gave a P10 million cash assistance each to the municipalities of Talisay, Laurel, Agoncillo, Cuenca, Lemery and Balete. Select farmers and fisherfolk affected by the storm also re-ceived P10,000 each.

Earlier, Marcos issued Proclamation 728, declaring Nov. 4 as a Day of National Mourning for the victims of Kristine.

PAGASA improving warning system

At a briefing in Manila, PAGASA deputy administrator for research and development Marcelino Villafuerte II said efforts are being made to improve the services of the weather bureau.

He was commenting on criticisms from Sen. Imee Marcos that PAGASA had failed to adequately warn the public of the extent of Kristine’s ferocity.

She said preemptive evacuations could have been done had there been enough warning from PAGASA.

“For comments like that, we consider them as constructive criticisms and we are doing our best to further enhance our services and provide better information to the public but we are currently addressing that,” Villafuerte said.

“Actually, as early as a few months back, we even added additional products to improve our services. First, we have the tropical cyclone potential threat where as early as two weeks before an event happens, we are already informing the public that there is a potential cyclone that could enter or develop within the Philippine Area of Responsibility,” Villafuerte said.

Advisories are also issued on the volume of rain a typhoon may bring.

“When there is a typhoon, even though there was no wind signal in some places but there may be the possibility of strong rains, we include this in our weather forecast, including areas with threats of possible flooding and landslide,” he added.

“Of course, we welcome any other suggestions pertaining to our services. Hopefully, we can provide better information, particularly in communities that will be affected if ever,” he pointed out.

France expresses solidarity

France, meanwhile, expressed condolences and solidarity with the Filipino people reeling from Kristine’s devastation.

“On this National Day of Mourning for the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, the Embassy of France to the Philippines extends its deepest condolences and solidarity to the people of the Philippines,” the French embassy in Manila said in a statement.

“We extend our sympathy to those who have lost their loved ones and to all who were affected during this difficult time,” it said.

“And our thoughts are with all those facing its aftermath. These events remind us of the increasing impact of natural disasters around the world,” the embassy said.

Mass for the dead

Earlier in the day, the President offered a memorial mass for those who died during the onslaught of Kristine in Barangay Sampaloc in Talisay.

“I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to every Filipino affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine,” the Chief Executive said in a speech.

The memorial mass was attended by approximately 100 individuals, including families of victims and residents of ground zero in Barangay Sampaloc.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, Batangas reported the highest number of fatalities, with 61 deaths, at least 20 of whom were from Talisay. Most deaths were due to landslides and drowning, it said. The entire province of Batangas is under a state of calamity.

Call for unity

In a statement, Speaker Martin Romualdez urged Filipinos to unite in helping the victims of Kristine.

Romualdez led the House of Representatives in observing the National Day of Mourning declared by Marcos.

“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 re-cover,” Romualdez said.

“Let this be a day when we, as Filipinos, reaffirm our spirit of resilience and togetherness, a time when we find strength in unity and a helping hand in every corner of our country,” he added.

“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,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez said that the Day of Mourning is a also a call for compassion and solidarity.

“As we remember those lost, we extend our deepest sympathies to every family affected, to every community struggling to recover. Let this be a day when we, as Filipinos, reaffirm our spirit of resilience and togetherness, a time when we find strength in unity and a helping hand in every corner of our country,” Romualdez said.

“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,” he said.

“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,” he added.

Romualdez also lauded responders, relief workers and countless volunteers who came forward to aid their fellow Filipinos.

“Your bravery and tireless dedication in the face of such hardship bring comfort to many. Your efforts represent the true Filipino spirit of bayanihan – showing us that even in our darkest hours, there is always someone ready to lend support, ready to lift another up,” Romualdez said.

Albay acting Gov. Glenda Ong Bongao said the provincial government distributed P10,000 each to surviving families of the victims of Kristine, as the province observed the National Day of Mourning.

“We are one with the entire Filipinos in expressing our sympathies to all the victims of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. In Albay, we have seven (deaths) and all over the Philippines, (the deaths) reached 139,” Bongao said. – With Jose Rodel Clapano, Bella Cariaso, Pia Lee-Brago