P411-M aid on the way for storm Kristine victims — Romualdez

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House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez (Photo from official Facebook page of the House of Representatives of the Philippines)

MANILA, Philippines — House of Representatives Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday said that P411 million has been mobilized for residents displaced by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

Romualdez in a statement said that a large-scale relief operation has been launched by the House, in accordance with President Ferdinand “Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr.’s directive.

According to the Speaker, P390 million worth of cash aid will be distributed to 22 districts affected by Kristine, particularly  in the Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) and four party-list representatives.

“The directive of President Marcos is clear: No Filipino family would be left behind when the government helps the people affected by Kristine.  This is our promise to the Filipino people, especially those affected by this calamity,” Romualdez said in Filipino.

“We are making sure the government’s assistance reaches our affected countrymen as quickly as possible,” he added.

>Meanwhile, House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada said the Office of the Speaker and the Tingog party-list are preparing 2,500 relief packs per representative of affected legislative districts.

This translates to 62,500 food packs estimated to be worth over P21 million.

Gabonada said a separate relief mission is being prepared by House committee on appropriations chairperson and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co.

According to Gabonada, the P15 million cash assistance per district and party-list representative will come from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s  Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

The aid will be distributed in the next few days, Gabonada assured the public.

“The AICS funds will be directly distributed to those in need. We have set up mechanisms to ensure that the aid reaches the constituents of the affected districts as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Gabonada added.

The districts of the following House members would receive the aid, Romualdez’s office said:

• Bicol Region: Rep. Eulogio Rodriguez, Rep. Josie Tallado, Rep. Rosemarie Panotes, Rep. Tonton Kho, Rep. Olga Kho, Rep. Ricardo Kho, Rep. Wowo Fortes, Rep. Dette Escudero, Rep. Fernando Cabredo, Rep. Joey Salceda, Rep. Edcel Lagman, Rep. Migz Villafuerte, Rep. Lray Villafuerte, Rep. Arnie Fuentebella, Rep. Hori Horibata, and Rep. Gabriel Bordado
• Eastern Visayas: Rep. Paul Daza, Rep. Harris Ongchuan, Rep. Reynolds Tan, and Rep. Stephen James Tan
• Calabarzon: Rep. Cong. Reynante Arrogancia
• Mimaropa: Rep. Lord Allan Velasco
• Party-lists: Rep. Raul Angelo Bongalon (Ako Bicol), Rep. Brian Yamsuan (Bicol Saro), Rep. Presley De Jesus (Philreca), and Rep. Felimon Espares (Coop-Natcco)

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported Wednesday afternoon that Kristine has intensified into a severe tropical storm.