House Speaker Martin Romualdez witnesses the aid distribution in Palawan under the Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program. (Speaker’s office)

Making basics goods more affordable to Filipinos has been a driving force behind House Speaker Martin Romualdez, and he believes that President Marcos' latest action will help achieve this goal. 

Romualdez witnessed on Thursday, July 18 President Marcos distribute cash aid to about 10,000 beneficiaries under his Presidential Assistance to Farmers and Fisherfolk (PAFF) program. 

The distribution took place at the Edward S. Hagedorn Coliseum in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. The recipients were from Palawan and the neighboring province of Marinduque.

Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, addressed the locals before Marcos spoke to them. 

“Kayo po - ang ating mga magsasaka at mangingisda - ang nagpapakain at bumubuhay sa buong bansa. Obligasyon ng ating gobyerno na tiyaking busog din lagi ang inyong mga pamilya at may maliwanag na kinabukasan para sa inyong mga anak,” he told the beneficiaries. 

(You--our farmers and fishermen--are the ones who feed and give life to the entire country. It's our government’s obligation to keep your families' bellies full and ensure a bright future for your children.) 

“Sa pagbibigay ng suporta sa inyo, mapapalakas natin ang produksyon ng pagkain at masisiguro na abot-kaya ang presyo ng mga ito para sa ating mamamayan,” noted the Leyte 1st district congressman. 

(By supporting you, we strengthen our food production and in turn guarantee the affordability of its prices for our citizenry.) 

Meanwhile, Romualdez assured President Marcos of the continuing support of the House of Representatives for his visionary programs that continue to help every Filipino. 

“We are very, very proud to be working under your leadership. I assure you, in the upcoming budget, these programs and projects of yours will be fully supported by the House of Representatives,” said the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president. 

The Speaker expressed optimism that the program would also lead to decreased importation. 

Romualdez told Palaweños that the President made sure that Palawan was among the first provinces that would benefit from the program because of its natural resources. 

Romualdez is also the concurrent caretaker of the first and third district of the province.