Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez has urged the country’s provincial governors to support and help in a whole-of-government approach to fight poverty and other problems the nation and their communities are facing.
This came after Romualdez met with 27 provincial governors Thursday, with former Congressman Anton Lagdameo, who is special assistant to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., giving the governors the opportunity to discuss their concerns with him.
During the meeting, Romualdez underscored the importance of cooperation between the national government and local government units to achieve meaningful progress in confronting poverty and other issues.
“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.
The leader of the 307-strong House said President Marcos is targeting to reduce the poverty rate to single digit by the end of his six-year term in 2028.
“Let us help our beloved President to attain that goal, which means getting millions of Filipinos out of poverty,” he added.
He pointed out that governors and local officials can help in substantially reducing poverty by assisting the national government in keeping food prices down and improving agricultural productivity, and in efficiently delivering services to their communities.
Romualdez also expressed his intention to build stronger ties with local leaders and vowed to keep the lines of communication open.
For his part, Lagdameo echoed the call for cooperation, acknowledging the essential role of provincial governors in ensuring that national programs are successfully implemented on the ground.
The governors who attended the meeting are 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), and Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin).
