House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced on Sunday, Oct. 30, that the House of Representatives has generated P35 million worth of donations and pledges during his office’s initial relief drive for the victims of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Paeng”.

The amount was collected from fellow lawmakers led by Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, and private individuals.

On top of the P35 million, the Speaker has also received a pledge of assistance from private sector, which committed to help in the production of much-needed relief packs.

“During the darkest hours, the House of the People in coordination and partnership with the Marcos administration is always here to assist and help Filipinos in their time of need. We will support all the national government initiatives in pursuing relief and recovery efforts in areas affected by typhoon Paeng,” Romualdez said in a statement.

His official Facebook page posted on Saturday, Oct. 29, details of a relief drive and operations to collect and distribute relief goods to the affected communities.

The Speaker, who represents Leyte’s 1st District, assured that the House will allocate funds for the initial purchase of relief goods, such as bottled waters, canned goods, rice, and other necessities.

“Nananawagan din tayo sa pribadong sektor na makibahagi sa (We are also calling on the private sector to take part in this) relief operations drive na ito at magpadala ng anumang tulong na maibabahagi nila sa mga nasalanta ng bagyo (and send whatever help they can give to the victims of the typhoon),” he added.

READ: ‘Undas’ nightmare: ‘Shocked’ officials devastated by Typhoon ‘Paeng’s’ wrath

Romualdez's office has also been busy linking up with the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as well as the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD), Department of National Defense (DND), and other departments and agencies to help typhoon victims.

He is also coordinating with the Departments of Health (DoH), Education (DepEd), Interior and Local Government (DILG), Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Trade and Industry (DTI), Energy (DoE), Transportation (DoTR), Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and other departments “to get a clearer picture of the storm's impact on Filipinos in terms of the current health, rescue missions, infrastructure, education, prices of basic commodities, power supply, transportation, communications, and other concerns related to the calamity".

The lawmaker and his wife, Tingog Party-list Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez, chairperson of the House Committee on Accounts, already responded to the call for help of fellow lawmakers for their respective constituents.

In partnership with DSWD Secretary Erwin Tulfo, Romualdez said that the initial names of his colleagues who sought assistance from them will also receive aid from the department’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations (AICS) program.

He also shared that Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre has readied a relief mission to Cotabato, Eastern Visayas, and other areas affected by typhoon Paeng.

As he continues to coordinate with the NDRRMC to assess the situation per district, the lawmaker assured of the government’s swift response to the calamity.

“Asahan po ninyo na gagawin natin ang lahat para makabangon sa panibagong hamon na dala ng bagyo (You can be rest assured that we will do all we can to rise up from the new challenge brought by the typhoon),” he said.

Paeng battered Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), CALABARZON, and Metro Manila as it caused landslides, flash floods, and massive flooding across the regions.