Romualdez urges provincial governors to join fight against poverty

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has appealed to 27 provincial governors to help the administration fight poverty and other problems that may affect their respective communities.

In a statement on Friday, Romualdez said he had a meeting with the governors late Thursday night, also attended by Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, to discuss concerns and stress the importance of coordination between the national government and local government units (LGUs).

“The problems we face — poverty, lack of infrastructure, health and education disparities — require the collective will and resources of the entire government. I am calling on all of you, our provincial governors, to be our partners in this whole-of-government approach,” he said.

“Let us help our beloved President to attain that goal, which means getting millions of Filipinos out of poverty,” he added.

According to Romualdez, Lagdameo’s attendance will also help as he can quickly relay pressing concerns to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

With regards to how the LGUs can help, the Speaker said that provincial governments can help in “substantially reducing poverty by assisting the national government in keeping food prices down and improving agricultural productivity,” aside from the efficient delivery of services to their respective locales.

“This event is just the beginning. I am inspired to reach out to more governors moving forward, and I want to assure you that my office in the House of Representatives will always be open to any governor who wishes to discuss solutions for their provinces,” he said.

According to Romualdez’s office, the following governors attended the meeting:

• Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar)
• Victor Yu (Zamboanga del Sur)
• Alexander Pimentel (Surigao del Sur)
• Yvonne Cagas (Davao del Sur)
• Emmylou Mendoza (Cotabato)
• Edwin Ongchuan (Northern Samar)
• Ysmael Sali (Tawi-Tawi)
• Reynaldo Tamayo (South Cotabato)
• Dakila Cua (Quirino)
• Ramon Guico III (Pangasinan)
• Malou Cayco (Batanes)
• Jerry Singson (Ilocos Sur)
• Elias Bulut (Apayao)
• Enrique Garcia (Bataan)
• Jun Ebdane (Zambales)
• Melchor Diclas (Benguet)
• James Edubba (Kalinga)
• Jerry Dalipog (Ifugao)
• Bonifacio Lacwasan (Mountain Province)
• Jose Riano (Romblon)
• Ricarte Padilla (Camarines Norte)
• Nina Ynares (Rizal)
• Joseph Cua (Catanduanes)
• JC Rahman Nava (Guimaras)
• Arthur Defensor Jr. (Iloilo)
• Jake Villa (Siquijor)
• Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin)

Romualdez’s meeting with the governors was conducted just hours after he and over 200 lawmakers went to Davao City — the bailiwicks of the Dutertes — for the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF) there.

READ: Romualdez, 202 other solons get warm welcome at BPSF in Davao City

According to Romualdez, a least P1.2 billion worth of government services and cash aid have been distributed to the Davao Region during the BPSF, with 250,000 residents expected to benefit from the fair.

READ: P1.2 billion worth of aid, gov’t services delivered to Davao City