Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez have once again responded to a colleague in need, this time Rep. Jonathan Keith Flores, whose province of Bukidnon was recently affected by floods.
This is in line with the Marcos administration’s mission of providing better social services nationwide, Speaker Romualdez said.
The Romualdezes and Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre have prepared an assistance package consisting of P500,000 worth of cash assistance; P500,000 in relief goods, and P10 million worth of payouts from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program of Sec. Rex Gatchalian.
“We are united with the province of Bukidnon during this time of need. With the steady resolve of Congressman Jonathan and Congresswoman Yedda hope that the flood victims would be able to get back on their feet sooner than later,” Speaker Romualdez said on Thursday.
The P500,000 cash assistance and P500,000 meant for the purchase of relief goods were turned over to Flores’ office earlier Thursday. The money came from the personal relief funds of the Speaker.
The relief goods had been ordered in advance. Flores represents Bukidnon’s second district.
According to the latest count, at least 6,810 families have been adversely affected by the flooding that took place last June 21.
Affected were 482 familes in Highway Cabangahan; 941 in Aglayan; 265 in San Jose; 401 in Bangcud; 636 in Sinanglanan; 462 in Violeta,;537 in Sto. Niño; 1,386 in Managok; 821 in Simaya; and 879 in San Martin.
As for the P10 million under AICS that was facilitated by the Romualdez couple through their coordination with the DSWD, this will be distributed next week, the Speaker’s office said.
The AICS payouts is seen to greatly help local folk in the efforts to repair or rebuild their homes that were damaged during the calamity.
Speaker Romualdez, Rep. Romualdez as chairperson of the House Committee on Accounts, and Acidre had earlier provided similar assistance package to the first three congressional districts in Albay that bore the brunt of Mayon Volcano’s restiveness.
The assistance benefited the thousands of individuals who were forced to flee to evacuation center’s amid the possibility of a major eruption from Mayon.
Meanwhile, Flores said he would use the P500,000 cash assistance to put up a community pantry for the flood victims.
He would take a cue from Albay 3rd district Rep. Fernando Cabredo, who set up a community pantry using produce brought from local farmers.