House to back relief efforts in Storm Kristine aftermath – Romualdez

Residents carrying their belongings wade through a flooded street caused by heavy rains brought about by Tropical Storm Trami in Bato town, Camarines Sur province on October 24, 2024. (Photo by ZALRIAN SAYAT / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has assured the public that the House of Representatives will support relief and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

In a statement on Monday, Romualdez said lawmakers would not stop checking if the government’s aid would reach the people affected by the storm.

Agricultural damage due to Kristine was estimated to be around P3.11 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, the death toll from the storm has risen to 116, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said.

READ: NDRRMC: 116 dead due to Kristine, over 6 million affected

“We will not stop until help reaches everyone who needs it.  We would ensure that financial aid and relief goods would be obtained by families who lost their homes and livelihood,” Romualdez said in Filipino.

He also thanked Singapore for helping the Philippines, saying that Singapore is a true friend of the Philippines.

“We thank the Singaporean government, especially President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and her ambassador here in the Philippines, Ambassador Constance See, for their immediate help to our country,” he said in Filipino.

“The assistance they provided, especially the C-130 aircraft from Singapore Air Force, we can use this for the quick transport of relief goods to areas severely affected by the storm,” he added.

On Sunday, it was reported that military aircraft from Singapore and Malaysia arrived in the country on Saturday to assist with the ongoing relief operations following Kristine’s onslaught.

A C-130 cargo aircraft from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and a Eurocopter EC725 transport helicopter from the Royal Malaysian Air Force arrived at Col. Jesus Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Saturday evening, the Philippine Air Force said.

“The woes brought by this cyclone is not a joke. Help from ally countries like Singapore gives strength to our bayanihan spirit of helping each other as we recover,” Romualdez said.

READ: Singapore, Malaysia air assets arrive to aid Kristine relief efforts

Previously, the House mobilized over P411 million in financial aid to 22 districts affected by the weather disturbance. It includes additional funds and relief goods such as 2,500 relief packs per representative, provided in partnership with the Office of the Speaker and Tingog party-list.

Ako Bicol party-list, in partnership with Romualdez, also launched a relief and rescue operation across the Bicol Region

“These tools were vital as we faced severe flooding that displaced thousands of our kababayans,” appropriations panel chairperson and Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co said. “We are deeply grateful for Speaker Romualdez’s prompt action.”