Romualdez lead delivery of financial, shelter aid in CamSur

By Keren Anne Bernadas

FOLLOWING President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent visit to Bicol region to assist communities affected by typhoons, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez also visited the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes to oversee the distribution of financial aid and building materials in the aftermath of typhoons Kristine and Pepito.

Romualdez emphasized that the President had directed the government to “look after the Bicolanos,” as the Speaker assured that the House of Representatives is always ready to support the region as it works toward recovery.

In Camarines Sur, approximately 10,000 beneficiaries—7,000 from the third district and 3,000 from Naga City—who were severely affected by the recent typhoons, received cash assistance of P5,000 each. This distribution took place at the Jesse Robredo Coliseum through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Bicol AKAP (Ayuda Para sa Kapos Ang Kita) Program.

Romualdez said the devastating effects of the recent typhoons, which resulted in destroyed homes, damaged agricultural land, and closed businesses, prompted him to assess the situation and seek ways to allocate assistance from the House of Representatives.

“Ako, bilang lider ng House of Representatives na may higit tatlong daan na kongresista, handang-handa tumulong sa inyo. Handang-handa kami gumawa ng paraan para mailutas natin kayo sa problemang itong nararanasan nyo ngayon,” he said.

(I, as leader of the House of Representatives with more than 300 congressmen, am prepared to help you. We are well prepared to make ways to solve this problem that you are experiencing now.)

In addition to distributing cash assistance, Romualdez also oversaw the distribution of housing materials and essentials to 50 families whose homes were damaged by the severe tropical storm Kristine.

In coordination with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, each family received eight GI roofing sheets, 10 plywood sheets, 24 coco lumbers, and two kilos of concrete nails.

Additionally, Romualdez provided 50 sacks of rice, each weighing 50 kilos, to 50 Gawad Kalinga families in Naga City.

The beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to Romualdez for his care and attention to their needs.

Cezar Iraula, 69, from Barangay Salvacion in Ocampo, Camarines Sur, was among the beneficiaries of the AKAP payout. He expressed his appreciation for the cash assistance he received, stating that this was the first time he had asked for help.

He plans to use the P5,000 cash assistance to support his three children who are in school.

“Dakula kong pasalamat sa tinaong tabang sako, ta ngonian pa sana ako nakahagad nin tabang. Dakula po ining prebiliyo na

ma-budget ko sa tolo kong eskwela. Kaya salamat na marhay kay Speaker Romualdez,” Iraula said.

(I am very grateful for the assistance, as this is the first time I have asked for help. This is a great privilege for me to budget the money for my three students. Thank you so much, Speaker Romualdez.)

Webina Narbonita, 61, from Zone 1, Barangay Concepcion Pequeña in Naga City, was one of the recipients of the shelter assistance. She noted that in their 35 years of living in Concepcion Pequeña, this was the first time they experienced such severe flooding, as she expressed gratitude for receiving the housing materials.

“Mas grabe yung nagdaan na bagyo ngayon kaysa noon. Ngayon lang kami naganitong sitwasyon – tubig talaga ang grabe pati sa loob ng bahay namin. Sirang-sira yung bahay namin. Wala kaming pambili ng materyales, kaya malaking tulong talaga itong materyales na mare-receive namin,” Narbonita said.

(The recent typhoon was more intense than the previous ones. This was the first time we experienced flood waters inside our house. Our home was damaged, and we don’t have money to buy materials for repairs. The assistance we received will be a big help to us.)

Both Camarines Sur 3rd District Representative Gabriel Bordado Jr. and Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion expressed their gratitude to Romualdez for his visit and support for the people of Bicol.

The Speaker was accompanied by Representative Elizaldy Co, chair of the House committee on appropriations, as well as officials from the AKO Bicol Partylist. (PIA 5)