Monday November 4 was declared a Day of National Mourning for those who perished from the onslaught of severe tropical storm Kristine nearly two weeks ago. This was made official by Proclamation 728, signed October 30 by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.
As of that date, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that Kristine affected a total of 1,79 million families or more than 7 million individuals, One hundred thirty-nine people lost their lives.
The national flag was flown at half-mast from sunrise to sunset on all government buildings and installations across the country and abroad.
The observance expressed the nation’s oneness and commisseration with those who lost loved ones as Kristine battered parts of the country.
The storm unleashed, as well, Filipinos’ bayanihan spirit as many extended help to compatriots in whatever way they could. Unfortunately, the crisis also afforded a platform for opportunists and scammers to engage in their nefarious activities. And because elections are a few months away, some thought it fitting to flaunt their so-called generous spirits by handing out money – and the unspoken ties that come with this assistance – to those stranded in their homes or on their roofs.
But there are more ways to mourn, if we were truly sincere in honoring the dead.
We should go back to the causes of the disaster outside of the often, and rightfully, blamed climate change. For instance, we should get to the root of the personalities who initiate and enable economic activities that prove damaging to the environment. We should look into the billions of pesos allotted for projects intended to prevent exactly these tragedies and why they failed to accomplish their purpose as expected. We should be informed about how public funds are spent and where accountability lies.
Most importantly, we should remember the names and faces who milked the tragedy for their selfish gains. For these politicians, survivors are not humans deserving of a secure and safe way to live; they are just voters.
We mourn those who perished, yes, but we also mourn our failure to learn in terms of holding leaders accountable for their failure. We mourn the tragedy of how a handout masquerades as genuine concern for the plight of the vulnerable.
We mourn, yes, but we must also acknowledge that we can turn this collective grief into action that makes the scale of death and devastation grow smaller in the long run.
