Raises P71M for disaster victims, Navotas fire victims 1st beneficiaries

SPEAKER Martin G. Romualdez turned his birthday celebration Monday night into an opportunity to help, raising P70.92 million cash and pledges for disaster victims with the Navotas fire victims as the first beneficiaries.

Reports said at least five persons died while two others were injured in a fire that razed a residential area in Navotas on Monday evening.

The House was able to raise P49.2 million in cash contributions and pledges and donations in kind such as blankets, food items, and toiletries from lawmakers and private entities for Paeng relief drive.

Romualdez expressed his gratitude to his guests led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Lisa Araneta-Marcos, former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos, former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, senior House Deputy Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte First District Rep. Ferdinand Alexander A. Marcos, friends, and his fellow senators for gracing the occasion.

Earlier, Romualdez appealed to family, friends, and colleagues that instead of sending gifts, well-wishers consider making a donation to his Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Initiative.

“I’d really like to thank all of you who contributed to help those who were badly affected. Mr. President (Marcos), I’d really like to tell you how proud I am of the members of the House of Representatives and our friends here for making possible our mission of helping those who are in need during calamities and disasters,” Romualdez told his guests during his birthday celebration in Makati City.

“In fact, Congressman Toby Tiangco left early this evening (Monday) because there is a fire in Navotas and I hope it is contained easily. Sadly, the initial report said there were five casualties. So we shall turn over to the congressman of Navotas a portion of the proceeds that we raised tonight (Monday). Again, thank you for the immediate response and support in releasing the much-needed assistance to those families who are affected. You made my birthday very, very meaningful tonight, first by being here and by supporting this program,” Romualdez added.

The Speaker also thanked his wife, Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez, and other organizers of the event that included House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David “Jay-jay” C. Suarez.

In his birthday greetings for Romualdez, President Marcos also thanked the Speaker and his fellow lawmakers for their hard work and their support as shown by their swift action in attending to the priority measures of his administration.

He credited the hard work of Romualdez and the members of the House for their noteworthy achievements in advancing the kind of legislation to help realize his vision of improving the lives of our people.

“Ako malakas ang loob ko, malaki ang kumpyansa ko dahil alam ko na partner ko ito na Speaker. I really thank him at talagang nagagawa niya ang trabaho kahit mahirap,” the President said.

Aside from his family, guests during his birthday celebration included Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri, Sens. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, Cynthia Villar, and Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., former Speakers Pantaleon “Bebot” Alvarez and Lord Allan Velasco, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Executive Sec. Lucas Bersamin, Sens. Finance Sec. Benjamin Diokno, Budget Sec. Amenah Pangandaman, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma, Office of the Press Secretary-OIC Usec. Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil, former presidential spokesman Harry Roque, Atty. Larry Gadon, former Quezon City Mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista, ex-Sen. Gringo Honasan, and others.

“Dear family, friends, and colleagues in public service, I am totally overcome with feelings of love and gratitude for your good wishes on my birthday. I cannot adequately thank all of you for your kind words and gestures that made me feel so blessed. Be that as it may, please accept my heartfelt appreciation and affection,” the Speaker said.

It could be recalled that following the devastation caused by Severe Tropical Storm “Paeng,” Speaker Romualdez launched a fund drive and relief operations to help the victims.

The House expressed its “sincerest and profound gratitude and appreciation” to its members, volunteers, and private entities that helped in its fund drive through House Resolution (HR) No. 531 unanimously adopted by its members.

Romualdez turns over P5M to Navotas fire victims Speaker Romualdez on Tuesday turned over to Navotas Lone District Rep. Tobias “Toby” Tiangco P5 million in cash to help the Navotas fire victims.

Reports said at least five persons died while two others were injured in the fire that raged for almost six hours and reached the fifth alarm.

“Please extend my condoles to the families of those who perished in this unfortunate tragedy and my sympathies for those whose houses and properties were razed to the ground,” Romualdez told Tiangco.

Aside from the cash assistance, the Speaker will also send 500 packs of rice, consisting five kilos each, for distribution to the Navotas fire victims.

“I sincerely hope this gesture of assistance we provided through the help of our friends and colleagues will help their condition,” Romualdez said.

The assistance for the fire victims was part of around P71 million in cash and pledges that Romualdez secured during his birthday celebration Monday night where he appealed to guests and friends for support to his Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Initiative.