MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has endorsed a P150-million assistance package for the Davao Region which was affected by the floods and landslides.
In a statement on Thursday, Romualdez said he has endorsed to the Department of Social Welfare and Development the release of the financial aid to flood victims through the agency’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.
Romualdez’ office and that of Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre continue to facilitate assistance to Davao, as they have sent 21,000 food packs financed by the speaker’s personal funds.
This is aside from the 30,000 food packs requested by the offices of the Speaker and Tingog party-list from DSWD.
“This is to reassure and let our kababayans in Davao Region know that the government of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is here and it is doing its best to alleviate their condition. Aid will continue to flow in your areas as you all recover from the adverse effects of the floods,” Romualdez said.
“We hope and pray for everyone affected by this natural calamity in Davao Region. Rest assured that we will continue to find ways to send help to Davao Oriental,” he added.
According to Romualdez’ office, the P150 million assistance would be turned over to the following officials’ offices for distribution:
- Davao de Oro 1st District Rep. Maricar Zamora (P20 million)
- Davao de Oro 2nd District Rep. Ruwel Peter Gonzaga (P20 million)
- Davao Oriental 2nd District Rep. Cheeno Almario (P20 million)
- Davao Oriental 1st District Rep. Nelson Dayanghirang (P20 million)
- Davao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Aldu Dujali (P20 million)
- PBA party-list Rep. Migz Nograles (P20 million)
- Davao del Norte Vice Governor Oyo Uy (P20 million)
- Davao de Oro Vice Governor Tyron Uy (P10 million)
Tingog Rep. Romualdez said that the 21,00 food packs would go to Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, and Davao de Oro.
“We have initially dispatched 21,000 food packs to Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental and Davao de Oro to provide relief to the 455 families reported by the Office of Civil Defense-Davao to have been evacuated and for those severely affected,” she said.
Several towns in Davao Region have been affected by flooding since late January. The floods have even prompted Davao de Oro to declare a state of calamity last January 23.
Meanwhile, lawmakers from the Davao Region thanked Romualdez on Friday for his role on the release of the funds.
Almario said in a statement, “The gesture speaks volumes, providing not only essentials but also a sense of solidarity that uplifts spirits.”
For his part, Nograles also thanked Romualdez for doing “not just talk but meaningful action.”
“Thank you for recognizing the urgency and delivering genuine help,” Nograles said in a statement.
Zamora said such gesture “echoes loudly in our hearts.”
“These will provide our constituents lifelines, especially those affected by the floods in Davao Oriental,” Zamora said in a statement.
“These are the actions that matter, not the political noise,” Zamora also said.