The national flag at Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) offices nationwide are flown half-mast to honor the five (5) fallen heroes who died while clearing roads in Ifugao Province during the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses.
“From Monday, November 23, 2020 to Friday, November 27, 2020, flags in the DPWH Central Office in Manila and all Regional and District Engineering Offices across the country will be lowered to half-mast from sunrise to sunset as a mark of mourning and respect for our brothers: John Limoh, Julius Gulayan Jr., Joel Chur-ig, Johnny Duccog, and Roldan Pigoh,” said Secretary Mark A. Villar.
The half-masting for the fallen heroes of Ifugao is in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 8691 also known as the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.
“We grieve with the families, friends of those bravehearts who unfortunately sacrificed their lives to fulfill their sworn duty as public servants,” added Secretary Villar.
Secretary Villar recalled that those that sacrificed their lives are members of DPWH Ifugao 2nd District Engineering Office Quick Response Team who were buried by a landslide in Sitio Sumigar, Viewpoint, Banaue, Ifugao.
The team was conducting clearing operation along the landslide-blocked portion of Nueva Vizcaya-Ifugao-Mt. Province Road but heavy downpour made the activity impossible hence they decided to temporary seek refuge in a nearby house. Due to heavy downpour, the mountain slope rolled down and pushed the said residential structure down the slope, burying civilians, and the Quick Response Team.