Top Leyte officials lead fundraising drive for Typhoon Rolly victims

MANILA, Philippines — House Majority Leader and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez and his family are leading a bike ride to raise funds for victims of Typhoon “Rolly,” which devastated the Bicol Region last week.

Romualdez, his wife Tingog Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez and cousin Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez have organized the first Yolanda Commemorative Ride on Sunday.

In a statement, the House leader said the bike ride with over 2,000 registrants would be the Warays’ way of paying forward for their blessings after facing the wrath of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” in 2013.

“We organized this event not only to raise funds. We are here to show our brothers and sisters in Bicol and other areas devastated by the recent typhoon that they are not alone. We are here to stand by them and give them all the support that they need in these trying times,” Romualdez said.

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Seven years ago on Nov. 8, 2013, Yolanda slammed into the Eastern Visayas and left more than 6,000 people dead in one of the most powerful typhoons ever recorded in history.

The “Sikad: Urusa nga Pagpitad para ha Pag-uswag (Sama-samang Paghakbang para sa Pag-unlad)” will be held at 5 a.m. on Sunday at the Tacloban Astrodome in coordination with the Tacloban City government, SK Federation and the Region 8 Bicycle Advocacy Community.

Romualdez said the organizers would observe health protocols such as temperature checks, wearing of masks and helmets, observance of physical distancing, and disinfection to ensure the safety of all participants.