QUEZON CITY — Following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s instructions, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez announced on Wednesday, Oct. 23, a large-scale relief operation launched by the House of Representatives to aid families affected by Typhoon Kristine.
The operation includes the immediate release of P390 million in cash aid, facilitated by Romualdez, to be distributed to 22 districts in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and MIMAROPA, as well as four party-list representatives.
“President Marcos has been clear: no Filipino family will be left behind in receiving government assistance for those affected by Typhoon Kristine,” said the Speaker. “This is our promise to the Filipino people, especially those who have suffered greatly from this calamity.”
The House of Representatives is also preparing 62,500 relief packs, worth over P21 million, to be distributed to affected families. These packs are being prepared by the Office of the Speaker and the Tingog Party-list, with 2,500 packs allocated per representative.
A separate relief mission is also being prepared by Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations.
The P15 million cash assistance per district and party-list representative comes from the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program under Sec. Rex Gatchalian. The aid is expected to reach beneficiaries in the coming days.
The relief efforts are being coordinated with Tingog Partylist, which has been providing on-the-ground support in affected areas.
Romualdez emphasized that the districts covered by this aid include some of the most severely affected areas in the Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA, where Typhoon Kristine caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods.
“We understand the difficult situation our fellow Filipinos are facing, and we are here to help,” said Romualdez. “We will ensure that these funds are directed towards recovery and rebuilding efforts in these communities.”
House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada, overseeing the logistics of the relief operations, confirmed that the cash aid will be distributed to the 22 affected districts and the four party-list representatives over the next few days. He stressed that the assistance will prioritize the immediate needs of the typhoon victims. (Office of Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez)
