Speaker Romualdez vows support for AWLFI, legislative agenda of women

THE House of Representatives will support the legislative agenda of women, Speaker Martin G. Romualdez vowed as he spoke before the 86-strong members of the Association of Women Legislators Foundation, Inc. (AWLFI) on Tuesday.

“Rest assured that the leadership of the 19th Congress will support your endeavors to advance the legislative agenda of women. With my wife, Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, serving as chairperson,” Romualdez said during AWLFI’s organizational meeting in the House of Representatives.

“Through a consultative and collaborative way – we can see eye to eye; make concessions if necessary; and collectively pass measures with our Senate counterpart; that will be approved and signed by President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos, Jr.,” he added.

Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, a former President, attended the event with other women legislators led by Bulacan Rep. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica, AWLFI president; and San Jose del Monte City Rep. Florida “Rida” P. Robes, senior vice president.

In her speech, Rep. Yedda Romualdez vowed to work hard in championing the agenda of women.

“We have a long way to go. But through all of our efforts, we can achieve so much as we continue in accomplishing our goal to advance women’s legislative agenda and completely eradicate gender inequalities,” Rep. Yedda Romualdez said.

“The Association of Women Legislators Foundation, an organization composed of all the lady lawmakers in the House of Representatives, is a permanent bloc in Congress that empowers and strengthens the position of women and children from all sectors in the society by unceasingly pushing for the passing of their legislative agenda. After more than a decade, we are proud to have accomplished a great many things. We have launched series of dialogues, projects, and passed legislations aimed towards the advancement and inclusion of Filipino women, and the protection and promotion of their rights,” she said.

“Therefore, it is indeed an honor to be a part of this organization composed of 86 strong lady legislators in the House of Representatives, who are continuously and tirelessly working to promote the rights of women and gender equality,” Rep. Yedda Romualdez said.

“To House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez; to former President and Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; to the Association of Women Legislators Foundation’s Founder and Chairman Emeritus, former Representative Gina de Venecia; to former Deputy Speaker and Outgoing and Immediate Past President of AWLFI, Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas; AWLFI President in the 17th Congress, Representative Linabelle Villarica; AWLFI Senior Vice President in the 18th Congress, Former Representative Evie Escudero; my fellow legislators in the House of Representatives, and everyone present here today (Tuesday)— good morning!

I would also like to congratulate the outgoing officers, led by former Deputy Speaker Baby Arenas for a very successful and meaningful term,” she added.

Speaker Romualdez, president of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party, said that based on the statistics on the House website, there are almost 1,400 measures filed by the members of the association along the subject matter of e-governance, electronic commerce, telemedicine services, urban development and housing, fiscal policies, food security, education, health, disaster resilience, labor and employment, social services, protection against discrimination and abuse, and urgent amendments to existing laws, to name a few.

“I am certain that these numbers will drastically increase after your organizational meeting as priority bills will be identified and remedial legislation will be crafted to address urgent needs,” Speaker Romualdez said.

The House Speaker said that the chamber and AWLFI will work together to pass “quality measures designed to provide a solution to poverty, economic crises, health problems, crimes and such other concerns that the Filipino electorate entrusted [lawmakers] to alleviate.”

“Echoing the vision of Tingog Party-list which is to achieve a dignified quality of life through access to education, healthcare, and livelihood opportunities, let’s all work toward change… Let’s leave a mark in this august chamber, we call the House of the People – by passing legislation that will impact the lives of every Filipino,” said Speaker Romualdez.