Speaker Martin Romualdez (Rightmost) meeting with governors (Speaker's Office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez said he will keep the lines of communication open with local leaders as he pushes for a whole-of-government approach in fighting poverty and other pressing issues facing the nation.

This, as he met with 27 provincial governors on Thursday night, Sep. 5, to enlist their help in the government’s pursuit of addressing national and local concerns.

“The problems we face—poverty, lack of infrastructure, health and education disparities—require the collective will and resources of the entire government. I am calling on all of you, our provincial governors, to be our partners in this whole-of-government approach,” said Romualdez.

The Speaker highlighted the importance of cooperation between the national government and local government units (LGUs) to achieve “meaningful progress”.

“This event is just the beginning. I am inspired to reach out to more governors moving forward, and I want to assure you that my office in the House of Representatives will always be open to any governor who wishes to discuss solutions for their provinces,” he said.

During the meeting, Romualdez shared with the governors that President Marcos was targeting to reduce the poverty rate to a single digit by the end of his six-year term in 2028.

“Let us help our beloved President to attain that goal, which means getting millions of Filipinos out of poverty,” the House leader said.

He pointed out that governors and local officials can help reduce poverty by keeping food prices down, improving agricultural productivity, and efficiently delivering services to their communities.

According to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the poverty incidence in the country is at 15.5 percent.

In 2021, or a year before Marcos assumed office, NEDA recorded an 18.1 percent poverty incidence rate.

Romualdez further stressed that he remains committed to supporting legislation that will benefit the provinces and ensure that no Filipino is left behind.

Also present in the meeting was Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Antonio Lagdameo Jr., who echoed the call for cooperation between national and local leaders.

Lagdameo, a former congressman, acknowledged the essential role of provincial governors in ensuring that national programs are successfully implemented on the ground.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez posing with the 27 governors (Speaker's Office)

Provincial governors from Luzon who attended the meeting are: Dakila Cua (Quirino), Ramon Guico III (Pangasinan), Malou Cayco (Batanes), Jerry Singson (Ilocos Sur), Elias Bulut (Apayao), Enrique Garcia (Bataan), Jun Ebdane (Zambales), Melchor Diclas (Benguet), James Edubba (Kalinga), Jerry Dalipog (Ifugao), Bonifacio Lacwasan (Mountain Province), Ricarte Padilla (Camarines Norte), Nina Ynares (Rizal), Joseph Cua (Catanduanes), and Jose Riano (Romblon).

From Visayas, the governors who met with Romualdez are: Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar), Edwin Ongchuan (Northern Samar), JC Rahman Nava (Guimaras), Arthur Defensor Jr. (Iloilo), and Jake Villa (Siquijor).

The participating Mindanao governors are as follows: Victor Yu (Zamboanga del Sur), Alexander Pimentel (Surigao del Sur), Yvonne Cagas (Davao del Sur), Emmylou Mendoza (Cotabato), Ysmael Sali (Tawi-Tawi), Reynaldo Tamayo (South Cotabato), and Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin).