Romualdez calls on provincial governors to join the fight against poverty

MANILA, Philippines – House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has appealed to the 27 provincial governors to help the government fight poverty and other problems that may affect their respective communities.

In a statement on Friday, Romualdez said he had a meeting with the governors late Thursday night, also attended by Special Assistant to the President Anton Lagdameo, to discuss the concerns and stress the importance of coordination between the national government and local government units (LGUs).

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

“Let us help our beloved President achieve this goal, which is to lift millions of Filipinos out of poverty,” he added.

According to Romualdez, Lagdameo's presence will also be helpful as he will be able to quickly convey urgent concerns to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Regarding how the LGUs can help, the spokesperson said that in addition to efficiently providing services in their respective regions, provincial governments can also help “significantly reduce poverty by assisting the national government in keeping food prices low and improving agricultural productivity.”

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“This event is just the beginning. I am motivated to engage with more governors in the future and I want to assure you that my office in the House of Representatives is always open to any governor who wishes to discuss solutions for their provinces,” he said.

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According to Romualdez's office, the following governors attended the meeting:

• Ben Evardone (Eastern Samar)
• Victor Yu (Zamboanga del Sur)
• Alexander Pimentel (Surigao del Sur)
• Yvonne Cagas (Davao del Sur)
• Emmylou Mendoza (Cotabato)
• Edwin Ongchuan (Northern Samar)
• Ysmael Sali (Tawi-Tawi)
• Reynaldo Tamayo (South Cotabato)
• 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)
• Jose Riano (Romblon)
• Ricarte Padilla (Camarines Norte)
• Nina Ynares (Rizal)
• Joseph Cua (Catanduanes)
• JC Rahman Nava (Guimaras)
• Arthur Defensor Jr. (Iloilo)
• Jake Villa (Siquijor)
• Xavier Jesus Romualdo (Camiguin)

The meeting between Romualdez and the governors took place just hours after he and over 200 lawmakers traveled to Davao City, Duterte's dominion, for the Bagong Pilipinas Serbisyo Fair (BPSF).

READ: Romualdez and 202 other Solons are warmly welcomed at the BPSF in Davao City

According to Romualdez, at least P1.2 billion worth of government benefits and cash assistance were distributed to the Davao region during the BPSF, with 250,000 residents expected to benefit from the fair.

READ: P1.2 billion worth of aid and government services for Davao City