INITIAL donations in kind for Speaker Martin G. Romualdez’s relief drive for ‘Paeng’ victims have reached P26 million

THE initial non-cash donations or donation in kind to the ongoing relief drive that was initiated by the House of Representatives via the Office of Speaker Martin G. Romualdez for victims of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Paeng” has reached P26 million.

The Speaker’s office revealed that as of November 1, the partial total value of donations in kind such as food items, blankets, and toiletries stood at P26,316,409.

“Marami pong salamat sa lahat ng mga mabubuting puso na tumulong sa ating relief drive. We need all the help that we can get, we already reached many affected families nationwide and we vow to bring the remaining aid to the affected families as soon as possible,” Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st District, said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, cash donations and pledges for the relief drive has already reached P49.2 million.

This means that the cash and initial donations in kind–which poured in following Romualdez’s call on his social media Saturday–has hit over P75 million as of last Tuesday.

The fund drive was led by Speaker Romualdez; his wife, House Committee on Accounts Chairperson and Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez; House Committee on Appropriations Chairman, Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe, and other House leaders.

In partnership with Social Welfare and Development Sec. Erwin Tulfo, Speaker Romualdez earlier said that beneficiaries of the relief mission will also receive aid from the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

For days now, Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, the home of the House of Representatives, has served as a central sorting and repacking station for truckloads of relief goods and other items of necessity from the storm victims.

Last Monday, 150 boxes (1,500 packs) of relief goods, 80 bundles of bottled water, and 20 sacks of rice were sent by the House of Representatives to Cagayan and to be distributed by Rep. Joseph “Jojo” Lara (Cagayan, 3rd District).

On Tuesday afternoon, some 150 boxes (1,500 packs) of relief goods, 80 bundles of bottled water, 20 sacks of rice, one box of multivitamins, and one box of vitamin C were transported by the House employees-slash-volunteers to Paeng-affected areas in Camarines Norte.

Also on Tuesday afternoon, volunteers transported relief goods to families affected by Paeng in Tacloban City.

Earlier, 100 boxes (1,000 packs) of relief goods, 80 bundles of bottled water, 30 sacks of rice, one box of multivitamins, and one box of vitamin c continue were sent to Cavite also as part of the Speaker’s relief drive.

Tingog Party List delivers relief goods to Paeng victims in Maguindanao.

Meanwhile, Tingog Party-list, in partnership with the Speaker’s office, facilitated on Tuesday afternoon the delivery of relief goods to the storm-stricken families of Maguindanao.

According to Speaker Romualdez, there are instances where the relief goods were procured and repacked locally in the affected area. This allowed for the faster delivery of the much-needed aid to the victims of the calamity.

Paeng struck the country during a break in the sessions at the House, meaning of the congressmen were at their respective districts. Their presence at their districts has allowed for better coordination on the ground in connecting with the Speaker’s relief drive.

As of 11 a.m. of Wednesday, Speaker Romualdez, Rep. Yedda Romualdez, and other House leaders have responded to the requests for financial or food assistance to the following House members: Reps. Emmanuel Billones (Capiz, 1st District), Jane T. Castro (Capiz, 2nd District), Carlito S. Marquez (Aklan, 1st District), Teodoric.

“Ted” Haresco Jr. (Aklan, 2nd District), Ferjenel G. Biron (Iloilo, 4th District), Gerardo Valmayor Jr. (Negros Occidental, 1st District), Antonio Legarda Jr. (Antique, Lone District), Mohamad P. Paglas

(Maguindanao, 2nd District), Bai Dimple I. Mastura (Maguindanao and Cotabato City, 1st District), David “Jay-jay” C. Suarez (Quezon, 2nd District), former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque, Lone District), House Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” M. Dalipe (Zamboanga City, 2nd District), Mercedes K. Alvarez (Negros Occidental, 6th District), Maria Theresa V. Collantes (Batangas, 3rd District), Sittie Aminah Q. Dimaporo (Lanao del Norte, 2nd District), Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado Revilla (Cavite, 2nd District), Ramon Jolo B. Revilla III (Cavite, 1st District), and Marlyn “Len” B. Alonte (Biñan City, Lone District), Raul “Boboy” C. Tupas (Iloilo 5th District), Rene Ann Lourdes Matibag (Laguna, 1st District), Bryan Revilla (Agimat, Party-list), James “Jojo” Ang (USWAG ILONGGO, Party-list), Antonio A. Ferrer (Cavite, 6th District), Adrian Jay C. Advincula (Cavite, 3rd District), Roy Loyola (Cavite, 5th District), Elpidio “Pidi” Barzaga Jr. (Cavite, 4th district), Aniela Bianca D. Tolentino (Cavite, 8th District), Lara, Dan S. Fernandez (Santa Rosa City, Lone District), Greg G. Gasataya (Bacolod City, Lone District), Janette L. Garin (Iloilo, 1st District) Jose Francisco “Kiko” B Benitez (Negros Occidental, 3rd District), Emigdio P. Tanjuatco III (Rizal, 2nd District), Julienne “Jam” Baronda (Iloilo City, Lone District), Ray Florence T. Reyes (Anakalusugan, Party-list), Carl Nicolas C. Cari (Leyte, 5th District), Javier T. Lolita (Leyte, 2nd District), Reynolds Michael T. Tan (Samar, 2nd District), Harris Christopher M. Ongchuan (Northern Samar, 2nd District), and Princess Rihan M. Sakaluran (Sultan Kudarat, 1st District).

They also heeded the calls for assistance from Governors Fredenil “Fred” H. Castro of Capiz and Florencio “Joeben” T. Miraflores of Aklan, and San Pedro City, Laguna Mayor Art Mercado.