Marcos offers prayers to Kristine, Leon victims on Undas

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. offered prayers to the victims of tropical cyclones Kristine and Leon of Friday, All Saints' Day.

''Matinding pagsubok ang sinasapit ng marami sa ating mga kababayan dahil sa nagdadaang bagyo. Kaya’t ngayong Undas, bukod sa ating mga yumaong mahal sa buhay, ay isama na rin natin ang ating panalangin para sa mga biktima at nasalanta ng sakunang ito,'' Marcos said in his vlog. 

(Many of our fellow Filipinos are experiencing a huge challenge because of the previous tropical cyclones. This All Saints' Day, aside from our departed loved ones, let us also pray for the victims of these natural calamities.)

The President said that more than a hundred were killed while thousands of families have been affected by the tropical cyclones, with many still unaccounted for.

The adverse effects of these extreme weather conditions highlighted the need to change the infrastructure plans in the country, Marcos said.

''Kaya naman maraming pagbabago sa pagpaplano ng mga imprastruktura na pinapatayo natin. Iyan ang mga kailangang gawin,'' Marcos said, adding that the Philippines is a high risk when it comes to the effects of climate change.

(That's why there are a lot of changes when it comes to planning our infrastructure. That's what we need to do.)

Earlier reports said a total of 207 towns and 29 cities in 14 provinces have declared a state of calamity due to the effects of tropical cyclones Kristine and Leon in the past weeks. 

In its 5 a.m. bulletin, weather bureau PAGASA said Leon has been downgraded into Severe Tropical Storm and exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility early Friday morning.

Meanwhile, in a separate post, Marcos also joined Filipino Catholics across the globe ''in honoring the lives of those who came before us, whose faith, love and sacrifice continue to inspire us all.''

''May these days of reflection rekindle in us the desire to be better, for each other and for our beloved country,'' Marcos said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News