Romualdez delivers relief to typhoon victims in Baguio City, Benguet

Speaker Romualdez, Baguio City Rep. Go, Benguet Rep. Yap, and other officials distribute relief goods to Super Typhoon Egay victims at Baguio Central School on Friday morning.

MANILA, Philippines–Speaker of the House Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez personally delivered relief and financial assistance to residents of Baguio City and Benguet affected by Super Typhoon Egay on Friday.

Romualdez, who was joined by Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre, said the fundraising efforts initiated by his office and Tingog Party-list have already reached P218.85 million in relief goods and financial assistance as of Friday afternoon.

“I decided to come here today at the behest of our dear President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. We just arrived from Malaysia last night. The President’s order: make sure that government assistance reaches all those affected by Typhoon Egay,” Romualdez told city residents at the Baguio Central School.

“Today, I will personally lead the delivery of relief and assistance here in Baguio City for those affected by Typhoon Egay in your city and neighboring areas,” he said.

Romualdez handed cash assistance and relief goods to the camps of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Baguio City Rep. Mark Go, and Benguet Rep. Eric Yap.

“The funds came from our personal contributions and we hope that our fellow House members will also help so that we can increase this amount. This is my small contribution to the government’s goal of providing quick relief to those affected by the calamity,” he said.

He also turned over P3 million worth of relief goods to Magalong, Go and Yap for distribution to affected residents.

“Our coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is fast, that’s why we are delivering aid from the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations or AICS program of the agency,” Romualdez said.

He said Congress made sure that the AICS program has sufficient funds for prompt distribution to victims of calamities and people in distress.

The highest ranking House leader said while he was with the President in Malaysia meeting with Malaysian officials and businessmen, he has called House members in other districts affected by the typhoon to ask them to assess the damage in their areas and to deliver relief and financial assistance.

He told Baguio City residents that he shares the pain and suffering they are going through because that’s what he felt when super typhoon Yolanda caused widespread devastation and deaths in Leyte and other parts of Eastern Visayas in 2013.

“But I know that we can overcome all of these difficulties. You are not alone. The whole country knows your situation now,” Romualdez said. “Aside from offering prayers, everyone is helping to provide assistance to all those affected by the typhoon.”

(This article was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor.)