The Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez has secured some P49.2 million in terms of cash pledges in its continuing relief drive for the benefit of the families affected by Tropical Storm Paeng.
This was announced by Romualdez even as the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, home of the House of Representatives, was transformed into a bustling hub for sorting and repacking relief goods.
The running total for pledges in cash resulted from the veteran legislator’s call to the public for donations in order to help victims of the destructive storm, which had affected various parts of the Philippines.
On top of the P49.2 million, the Speaker, who represents Leyte’s 1st District, has also received pledges of assistance from the private sector, which committed to helping in the production of much-needed relief packs. Some of these items were already sent to typhoon victims in Cavite and Laguna.
The fund drive was led by Romualdez; his wife, House Committee on Accounts Chairperson and Tingog Party-list Representative Yedda Marie Romualdez; and House Committee on Appropriations Chairman, Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
“Asahan po ninyo na ginagawa natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang makapagpadala ng tulong sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo.”
“Tuloy-tuloy po ang relief drive at operations ng Kongreso para sa mga nasalanta ng bagyong Paeng sa tulong ng mga staff ng Office of the Speaker at sa mga Secretariat employees ng House of Representatives. Asahan po ninyo na ginagawa natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya upang makapagpadala ng tulong sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo,” the Speaker said.
House employees and officials also donated used clothes and other important items that can be used by typhoon victims.
The presence of congressmen at their districts has allowed for better coordination on the ground in connecting with the Speaker’s relief drive.
Paeng struck the country during a break in the sessions at the House, meaning the congressmen were in their respective districts. Their presence in their districts has allowed for better coordination on the ground connecting with the Speaker’s relief drive.
Speaker Romualdez and Rep. Yedda Romualdez have responded to the requests for financial or food assistance to the following House members:
Emmanuel Billones (Capiz, 1st District)
Jane Castro (Capiz, 2nd District)
Carlito Marquez (Aklan, 1st District)
Ted Haresco Jr. (Aklan, 2nd District)
Ferjenel Biron (Iloilo, 4th District)
Gerardo Valmayor Jr. (Negros Occidental, 1st District)
Antonio Legarda Jr. (Antique, Lone District)
Mohamad Paglas (Maguindanao, 2nd District)
Bai Dimple Mastura (Maguindanao and Cotabato City, 1st District)
Jay-jay Suarez (Quezon, 2nd District)
former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque, Lone District
House Majority Leader Mannix Dalipe (Zamboanga City, 2nd District)
Mercedes Alvarez (Negros Occidental, 6th District)
Maria Theresa Collantes (Batangas, 3rd District)
Sittie Aminah Dimaporo (Lanao del Norte, 2nd District)
Lani Mercado Revilla (Cavite, 2nd District)
Jolo Revilla (Cavite, 1st District)
Len Alonte (Biñan City, Lone District)
Boboy Tupas (Iloilo 5th District)
Rene Ann Lourdes Matibag (Laguna, 1st District)
Bryan Revilla (Agimat Party-list)
Jojo Ang (USWAG ILONGGO Party-list)
Antonio Ferrer (Cavite, 6th District)
Adrian Jay Advincula (Cavite, 3rd District)
Roy Loyola (Cavite, 5th District)
Pidi Barzaga Jr. (Cavite, 4th district)
Aniela Tolentino (Cavite, 8th District)
Jojo Lara (Cagayan, 3rd District)
Dan Fernandez (Santa Rosa City, Lone District)
The couple also heeded the calls for assistance from Governors Fred Castro of Capiz and Joeben Miraflores of Aklan.
