House of Representatives (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Some P20 million worth of assistance plus 5,000 food packs are being prepared in two congressional districts affected by a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit Southern Mindanao on Friday, Nov. 17, the Office of Speaker Martin Romualdez said. 

A statement released on late Friday night bared that these comprised the initial aid for the earthquake victims from Romauldez's office and Tingog Party-list 

House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” Gabonada said the Speaker helped put together a total of P10 million worth of medical assistance for indigent patients (MAIP) under the Department of Health (DOH) and P10 million worth of assistance to individuals in crisis (AICS) under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to the districts of Sarangani Rep. Steve Chiongbian Solon and South Cotabato Rep. Loreto Acharon. 

Gabonada also said that Tingog teams in Davao City and General Santos are preparing an initial 5,000 relief goods to be equally divided among Solon and Acharon’s districts.    

This was announced just three hours after Romualdez had told Mindanao earthquake residents in an earlier statement that help was on its way.

READ THIS: 

https://mb.com.ph/2023/11/17/help-is-on-the-way-romualdez-tells-mindanao-quake-victims

"Speaker Romualdez and Tingog Party-list are committed to doing our part to provide comfort and relief in these challenging times. The Speaker underscored the need for us to stand for the victims,” Gabonada said.

The House official also shared that construction materials will be sent to the affected residents to help them repair and rebuild their homes damaged by the strong tremblor. 

The Office of the Speaker, he noted, is also closely coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and district lawmakers to facilitate the immediate release of quick response funds to rehabilitate the affected public structures like bridges and school buildings  

“Speaker Romualdez and Tingog Party-list’s commitment to the welfare of the affected community goes beyond words. We will always respond immediately to assist those in need,” Gabonada said. 

Tingog Party-list is represented in the House by Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre.