House Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (Speaker’s office)

Speaker Martin Romualdez can't help but appreciate President Marcos' observation that the House of Representatives--which he leads--is a united chamber when it comes to supporting programs of government.

"On behalf of the House of Representatives, I would like to express our gratitude to President Marcos, Jr. for highlighting our unity and commitment in support of his initiatives," Romualdez said on Thursday, May 16.

Romualdez, who accompanied the President to Cagayan de Oro City, said such pro-people initiatives include the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolks, and Families (PAFF) payout and the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair, which the city hosted Thursday.

"As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I vow to continue my unwavering support for the administration of President Marcos, Jr. and his pro-people programs," said Romualdez, Leyte's 1st district representative.

"Together, we will strive to implement policies and projects that uplift the lives of every Filipino, ensuring that no one is left behind as we progress towards a more resilient and prosperous nation," he added.

Romualdez, along with over 50 other House members, joined Marcos during the distribution of cash assistance to 10,000 beneficiaries of the PAFF program from Cagayan de Oro City and the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, and Bukidnon at the Pimentel Convention Center.

It was during his speech at the event that the President saw the sheer number of legislators who--for all intents and purposes--were united with the cause.

Marcos said in jest that it was the first time he had seen such a large contingent from the House of Representatives, probably even more than those who attended the sessions during his time as a congressman.

"Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng ganito. Kahit nung congressman ako nung pumapasok ako hindi ganito karami ang congressman dun sa plenary hall," the President said.

(This is the first time for me to see something like this. Even when I attended sessions as a congressman, I didn't see this many people in the plenary hall.)

Marcos' campaign battle cry during the May 2022 elections was unity. He went on to win the presidential race via historic majority vote.

According to House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias Gabonada Jr. one of the key officials spearheading the groundwork for the BPSF and related activities, the number of House members who attended the event totaled 53.

“Sa totoo lang, biglaan po ang ating BPSF dito sa Cagayan de Oro. Kaya nakakatuwa pa rin na mayroong mahigit sa 50 na congressman at congresswoman na pumunta dito. Dito natin nakikita at nararamdaman ang suporta ng mga mambabatas sa programa ni Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” shared Romualdez, Marcos' cousin.

(The truth is, our BPSF here in Cagayan de Oro is on short notice. That's why it delights us to have over 50 congressmen and congresswomen come here. We see and feel the lawmakers' support for the programs of President Marcos Jr.)

The BPSF in Cagayan de Oro City will last until Friday, May 17.

Partly organized by the Office of the Speaker, the BPSF is an all-encompassing service caravan of the Marcos administration. By the end of the event in Cagayan de Oro City, it will have rolled out of P286 million in government programs as well as cash, scholarship, and livelihood assistance to around 30,000 beneficiaries

Cagayan de Oro is the sixth Mindanao area to be serviced by the BPSF, next to Zamboanga City, Bukidnon, Agusan del Norte, Sultan Kudarat and Davao de Oro. In the following weeks, the BPSF will go to Tawi-Tawi and Davao del Norte, bringing the total number of Mindanao areas served by the program to eight.