House Speaker Martin Romualdez was finally able to go back to his home province of Leyte Thursday, Oct. 13 after two months of grueling legislative work and high-level meetings with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. here and abroad.
But this homecoming was hardly a vacation for Romualdez as he attended several activities all over Leyte, even as he assured his fellow natives that Congress continues to work for their benefit.
“I am glad that everything that we fought for in Congress for our province and Region VIII are slowly coming to fruition," Romualdez said during an inspection of the Storm Surge Protection Project in Payapay, San Jose in Tacloban City.
"We look forward to more projects in the future for the benefit of all our constituents in Leyte and Region VIII,” added the Leyte 1st district congressman.
Upon his arrival in the province, Romualdez took the opportunity to inspect the construction of the new airport terminal grounds at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport--also known as the Tacloban City Airport--along with CAAP Acting Director General Manuel Antonio Lara Tamayo and other concerned officials.
The House leader then proceeded to the Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) auditorium to witness the payout and distribution of cash aid to 515 grantees under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers or TUPAD program and Negosyo Karts--both projects under the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE).
“Nagta-trabaho po kami nina Cong. Jude (Acidre) at Cong. Yedda (Marie Romualdez) ng Tingog Party-list sa Kongreso araw-araw para makahanap ng maayos na programa para sa inyo (We've been working together with Cong. Jude Acidre and Cong Yedda Marie Romualdez of Tingog Party-list in Congress everyday in a bid to come up with good projects for you)," Romualdez told his constituents during the distribution of P2.562-million "ayuda" for 515 TUPAD beneficiaries.
“Hangarin ng representatives sa Tingog Party-list na magdala ng maayos na programa at proyekto. Tuloy-tuloy ang pagdating ng mga programa sa ilalim ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (It is the desire of the Tingog Party-list Representatives to bring you good programs and projects. This will continue under the administration of President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.,” he added.
A total of 110 people benefitted from TUPAD program in Tacloban City, 205 beneficiaries from Alang-alang town, and 100 people each from the municipalities of Babatngon and Sta. Fe. Meanwhile, 30 people benefitted from the Nego-Kart livelihood project.
After the distribution, Romualdez went straight to his residence to join local officials led by Tacloban Mayor Alfred Romualdez, governors, mayors, Congress representatives, vice-mayors, and councilors to discuss local issues.
After the luncheon meeting, the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president inspected the construction of the Bypass Road in Tacloba with Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials led by Regional Director Edgar Tabacon.
The Speaker also went to Gov. Benjamin T. Romualdez General Hospital in Palo, Leyte to witness the turnover of hospital equipment such as beddings and hygiene kits.
The House of Representatives is in the middle of a month-long recess.