First Lady, Speaker Romualdez spread love this Pride Month
FIRST Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez are spreading the love this month of June, leading the distribution of financial assistance to qualified members of the LGBTQIA+ in celebration of Pride Month yesterday in Mandaluyong City.
Speaker Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, joined the First Lady in granting P5,000 to a total of 5,000 members of the pride community under the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita Program (AKAP) of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) led by Sec. Rex Gatchalian.
“The LGBTQIA+ community has long been a solid and vibrant partner in our nation’s journey toward progress and development. Today, we recognize and celebrate your vital role in nation-building,” said Speaker Romualdez.
Speaker Romualdez declared that the AKAP program is proof of the government’s commitment to uplift the lives of all Filipinos, including the poor and the near-poor, ensuring that no one is left behind.
“Para ito sa mga kababayan natin na nahihirapan sa hamon ng araw-araw na pamumuhay. Alam nating hindi permanente ang ating paghihirap, at darating ang panahon na makakaluwag tayo at aahon. Nawa ay makatulong ang AKAP sa inyo ngayon,” the Speaker expressed.
According to House Deputy Secretary-General Sofonias “Ponyong” P. Gabonada Jr., the beneficiaries of the AKAP financial aid came from the Mandaluyong LGU and members of the group LGBT Pilipinas in Metro Manila.
Gabonada said each recipient received P5,000 cash and food packs from DSWD during a simple ceremony at the Mandaluyong College of Science and Technology located in Barangay Addition Hills.
He added that the celebration was a joint initiative of the First Lady and Speaker Romualdez that coincided with the implementation of the LAB4ALL program in Mandaluyong City.
Speaker Romualdez said that the AKAP aid for members of the LGBTQIA+ community is not just a mere financial assistance, but also an acknowledgment of their hard work.
“As we celebrate Pride Month, it is important to reflect on the values of acceptance, equality and love that bind us together. This is a symbolic gesture of our solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community, reinforcing our resolve to create a society where everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, can thrive and prosper,” the lawmaker from Leyte said.
