Romualdez lauds US for P13.8 million flood aid

MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Martin Romualdez yesterday thanked the United States government for providing an additional P13.8 million ($250,000) in emergency shelter assistance and hygiene kits for 3,000 Filipino families affected by the severe flooding brought by southwest monsoon rains in July.

Romualdez said the supplemental aid reflects the strong and enduring partnership between the Philippines and the US, adding that it demonstrates “the continuing solidarity of our oldest ally in times of adversity.”

“We deeply appreciate this generous assistance, which will significantly help many of our kababayans as they rebuild their homes and regain a sense of normalcy,” he said.

“This gesture from Washington reaffirms the US’s unwavering commitment to stand with the Filipino people in both good times and in times of great need,” he added.

The US embassy in Manila announced Friday that the additional funding will provide emergency shelter materials and hygiene kits to about 15,000 individuals still staying in evacuation centers in Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan and Pampanga.

With this supplemental support, total US humanitarian aid for the Philippines’ disaster response now stands at $500,000 or around P27.6 million.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will distribute shelter-grade tarpaulins, repair kits and essential household items to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.

Hygiene kits, including soap, buckets and cleaning supplies, will also be provided, while the IOM will monitor sanitation in evacuation centers to help prevent disease outbreaks.

US embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Y. Robert Ewing said Washington is grateful to work with key partners such as the IOM, the World Food Program (WFP), the DSWD and the Office of Civil Defense to “help affected families recover and rebuild.”

Earlier, the US government extended another P13.8 million ($250,000) through the WFP, enabling the delivery of 47,700 family food packs to more than 200,000 beneficiaries across Northern and Central Luzon.

US military aircraft also helped the Armed Forces of the Philippines deliver 6,300 food packs to 18,000 residents of Batanes.

Romualdez urged the DSWD to ensure efficient and transparent distribution of the latest assistance, prioritizing low-income households, particularly those with senior citizens, persons with disabilities and young children.

He also called on other agencies and local governments to complement the US aid by ensuring access to clean hygiene and sanitation facilities in evacuation centers.

“Our alliance with the US extends beyond defense and economic cooperation. It is a relationship built on genuine compassion and friendship. Time and again, the United States has stood by us in our greatest times of need and for that, we are truly grateful,” Romualdez said.