UPON instruction of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, in partnership with Tingog Partylist and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), spearheaded the relief efforts in areas hit by Typhoon Julian, bringing them P25 million worth of relief goods and facilitating the request for the immediate release of over P100 million in cash aid to affected families.
Speaker Romualdez and Tingog, led by Reps. Yedda K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre said they have identified the 10 hard-hit congressional districts and requested Social Welfare Sec. Rex Gatchalian
to release P10 million for each district under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP), President Marcos’s flagship program.
“We are ensuring that each affected district receives the support it needs to recover from this calamity. Hindi pababayaan ng administrasyon ni PBBM ang ating mga kababayan na nasalanta ng bagyong Julian,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“Through AKAP, we aim to provide immediate cash assistance to help families get back on their feet,” the leader of the 300-plus members House of Representatives added.
House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” P. Gabonada Jr.,
said they have assessed that the hardest-hit districts are from the following members of the House: Batanes Rep. Ciriaco Gato, Cagayan Rep. Ramon Nolasco, Cagayan Rep. Aline Vargas-Alfonso, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, Ilocos Norte Rep. Angelo Barba, Kalinga Rep. Allen Mangaoang, Apayao Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang, Abra Rep. Ching Bernos, Ilocos Sur Rep. Ronald Singson and Cagayan Rep. Jojo Lara.
In addition to the cash aid, the offices of Speaker Romualdez and Tingog Partylist have prepared 5,000 relief packs per district, containing essential goods such as food and water, worth a total of P25 million for the 10 districts and sourced from Speaker Romualdez’s personal calamity fund.
Gabonada said these relief packs are being readied for delivery and distribution to affected families in coordination with the congressional districts to ensure that aid reaches those in need as quickly as possible.
Speaker Romualdez lauded Tingog’s relief efforts, saying, “We have mobilized resources to deliver these relief packs as fast as we can. We understand the urgency of the situation and are working closely with local authorities to ensure that every family affected by Typhoon Julian receives help.”
Rep. Yedda Romualdez emphasized the importance of unity in the face of calamities.
“Sa mga ganitong pagsubok, kailangan natin ng pagtutulungan. We must work together to overcome these challenges and ensure that our people receive the help they need,” Rep. Yedda Romualdez said.
“Ang focus natin: no one should be left behind. Ito ang kampanya ng Bagong Pilipinas ng ating Pangulo. We are making sure that the needs of our people are met,” Speaker Romualdez said.
“Together, in unity, we will rise from this tragedy, and we will rebuild stronger and better,” said Acidre for his part. (END)
CAPTION: Volunteers from the Offices of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre are work
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