House gathers P35-M in pledges for Paeng victims

• Published date: 30 October 2022
• Publication title: Philippines News agency

The House of Representatives has pledged PHP35 million in assistance to victims of Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement on Sunday House members led by Ako Bicol party-list Representative and House appropriations committee chair Zaldy Co generated a total of PHP35 million worth of donations and pledges as of 12:45 a.m. to fund a relief drive.

He said he has been linking up with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as well as the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Department of National Defense (DND), and other departments and agencies to ensure a well-coordinated relief drive for the typhoon victims.

'During the darkest hours, the House of the People in coordination and partnership with the Marcos administration is always here to assist and help Filipinos in their time of need. We will support all the national government initiatives in pursuing relief and recovery efforts in areas affected by typhoon Paeng,' Romualdez said.

He said he has also coordinated with the Departments of Health (DOH), Education (DepEd), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Trade and Industry (DTI), Energy (DOE), Transportation (DOTr), and Information and Communications Technology (DICT) among others, to get a clearer picture of the storm's impact on Filipinos.

He assured that the House of Representatives would be responsive to the needs of the concerned government agencies in dealing with the calamity through finalizing the proposed 2023 national budget.

Romualdez said he and his wife, Tingog party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, chairperson of the House Committee on Accounts, responded to the requests of fellow lawmakers for financial and food assistance for their constituents.

Meanwhile, Tingog party-list Rep. Jude Acidre has readied a relief mission to Cotabato, Eastern Visayas, and other areas affected by Paeng, according to the Speaker.

'Sa tulong ng mga kasama nating mambabatas sa House of Representatives, magsasagawa ang Office of the Speaker ng relief drive at operations para sa mga komunidad na nasalanta ng Bagyong Paeng. Maglalaan tayo ng pondo para simulan ang pagbili ng mga kakailanganing relief goods tulad ng...