House to hold crucial session in Batangas on Jan. 22

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives will be holding its plenary session in Batangas province, of the provinces affected by the recent eruption of Taal Volcano, on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

House members adopted a motion of House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez on Monday to move the plenary session at the Batangas City Convention Center at 1 p.m. on Jan. 22

“We move to hold the session this Wednesday at the Batangas City Convention Center at 1 p.m.,” Romualdez said.

In a privilege speech, House Speaker Cayetano urged lawmakers to come up with “long-lasting, reliable solutions, programs, mechanisms, to address disaster and calamity.”

He noted that the government’s efforts on rehabilitation of areas hit by disasters and calamities are still lacking.

Cayetano said that House leaders agreed to hold the session in Batangas City Convention Center as it is beside one of the biggest evacuation centers amid the Taal Volcano incident.

“I’d like to get your support that it is time for us to act but it is also time for us to listen,” he said, addressing House members.

“The proposal is to move to become a Committee of the Whole and listen to different representatives from all over Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, and listen to the first responders, listen to those who are directly affected,” Cayetano added.

Pampanga 3rd District Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales seconded Romualdez’s motion.

“Napakahalaga po sa atin na pumunta tayo sa Batangas at doon tayo mag-session at doon tayo mag-hold ng committee as a whole (It’s important to go to Batangas where we would a session and convene a committee as a whole),” Gonzales said in a manifestation.