TINGOG, SPEAKER HOLDS LAB FOR ALL AND TUPAD PAYOUT WITH FL LIZA MARCOS IN TACLOBAN*

Rep. Yedda K. Romualdez: ‘Lab for All’ initiative to instill importance of health among Filipinos

TINGOG Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez has said the “Lab for All” project of First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos under President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s leadership will not only provide free health services to the poor but also instill a mindset of giving importance to health among Filipinos.

Rep. Romualdez made this statement as she lauded the launching in Tacloban City of the Lab for All caravan, which stands for Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat, last Thursday spearheaded by the First Lady, who has previously visited other provinces to roll out free health services.

“Bukod sa libre o abot-kaya ang serbisyong pangkalusugan na hatid ng Lab for All ni First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, magde-develop din ito ng kultura sa mga Pilipino na pahalagahan ang ating kalusugan,” said Rep. Romualdez, who witnessed the launch of the health caravan together with Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

“Most of the time, because of hard times, poor Filipinos would rather spend their money on food and basic necessities rather than on services and medicine promoting good health. Nakakalungkot pero ito ang realidad natin. But I am confident that Lab for All will change this and help prioritize put health,” she added.

The launch of the health caravan coincided with the payout of P4.2 million in financial aid under the TUPAD program of the Department of Labor and Employment held at the Leyte Normal University after the Lab for All event. Some 1,026 workers received P4,050 each in financial assistance under the program.

The Lab for All caravan offers free consultations, laboratory tests, x-rays and medicine to indigent patients of the community.

Rep. Yedda Romualdez said these health services are important to the people, especially those located in far-flung areas where these are not readily accessible.

“Sa Lab for All, libre ka nang magpacheck-up, libre pa ang laboratoryo at x-ray, pati gamot ay ibibigay sayo. It is all free at malalaman ng bawat nagpapatingin kung may sakit ba sila na dapat tutukan o kung sila ay malusog,” she noted.

“Nagpapasalamat ang TINGOG Partylist kay First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos sa inisyatibang ito. This is another program of the Marcos administration that directly helps the people,” she added. (END)

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RPP Speaker Romualdez extends all-out support for P29 Rice Program to aid Filipino families

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday expressed full support for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.'s P29 Rice Program, designed to provide affordable rice to Filipino families amid rising global food prices and supply chain disruptions.

“The P29 Rice Program demonstrates President Marcos’ dedication to tackling inflation and enhancing food security,” Speaker Romualdez said. “Offering rice at P29 per kilo to our most vulnerable citizens is a vital step in reducing hunger and improving the quality of life for millions of Filipinos.”

The program, launching its large-scale trial on Friday, will operate in 10 locations across Metro Manila and Bulacan. It offers rice at P29 per kilogram to vulnerable groups, including members of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and solo parents.

"This initiative ensures that affordable rice reaches those who need it most," Speaker Romualdez, the leader of the 300-plus-strong House of Representatives, pointed out.

He said the government will be gathering vital data during the trial to ensure a smooth nationwide rollout, with the ultimate goal of achieving rice self-sufficiency by 2028.

Beneficiaries can purchase the subsidized rice every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with a limit of 10 kilos per household each month. Each trial site is expected to support around 60,000 households monthly.

“Government agencies are uniting to prevent misuse and guarantee that the program effectively reaches its intended recipients,” Speaker Romualdez explained. 

“Through collaboration with local government units and barangays, the government will ensure fair and efficient distribution,” he added.

Looking forward, Speaker Romualdez emphasized the plans to expand the program nationwide. 

“In the coming months, the government aims to double the number of distribution sites and extend this initiative to the Visayas and Mindanao, ultimately reaching 6.9 million families across the country," he said.

Speaker Romualdez, known as “Mr. Rice” for his nationwide rice distribution initiative, also highlighted the “rice-for-all” program, which aims to provide rice at a lower price to the general public.

“This initiative is a key component of the government’s comprehensive strategy to combat inflation and ensure food security for all Filipinos," he noted.

"These programs reflect President Marcos' strategic vision and dedication to the well-being of our people. Together, we are making significant strides towards a future where every Filipino has access to affordable, nutritious food," he added.

Last June 24, Speaker Romualdez and other House leaders met with Philippine Rice Industry Stakeholders Movement (PRISM), securing assurances that commercial rice prices would drop to as low as P42 per kilo by July, following President Marcos’ executive order reducing rice import tariffs.

Speaker Romualdez said the reduction of the tariff on imported rice from 35 percent to 15 percent, as directed by President Marcos, will greatly benefit our consumers and make quality rice more affordable.

During the meeting with PRISM founders Rowena Sadicon and Orly Manuntag, House leaders discussed the positive impacts of the tariff reduction. 

Manuntag, also representing the Grain Retailers Confederation of the Philippines, said the savings from the tariff reduction would be passed on to consumers, lowering rice prices to between P42 and P46 per kilo.

“This initiative is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together for the common good,” Speaker Romualdez emphasized. 

He continued, “We are taking a whole-of-nation approach to address the challenges in our rice industry, ensuring that the benefits of these policy changes reach every Filipino household.”

Speaker Romualdez also assured local farmers of the government’s continued support to improve their productivity and protect their interests amid the tariff reductions. 

He noted the availability of around P22 billion under the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund to support local rice production.

“Through the P29 Project and other market-stabilizing programs, we are not only making rice more affordable but also ensuring that our farmers receive the necessary support to thrive,” Speaker Romualdez stressed. “This is a comprehensive effort to enhance our food security and uplift the lives of all Filipinos.” (END)

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RPP “Lab for All” project provides free health services to the poor - Speaker Romualdez

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday lauded President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos for launching their “Lab for All” project in Tacloban City, which the leader of the House of Representatives said provides free health services to the poor, especially those in the provinces.

Speaker Romualdez made the remark during the “Lab for All” caravan in Tacloban City, which was spearheaded by the First Lady, whom he thanked for visiting the city and delivering health services to his constituents.

The First Lady, Speaker Romualdez and other officials, including Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez of Tingog Party-list, later assisted in the distribution of P4.2 million in financial aid under the TUPAD program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) at the Leyte Normal University.

Following the two events in Tacloban City Speaker Romualdez likewise accompanied President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo, Leyte where the President distributed aid package including P10,000 in cash aid to qualified residents of Leyte, Southern Leyte and Biliran provinces whose livelihood was adversely affected by the El Nino phenomenon through the Presidential Assistance to Farmers, Fisherfolks and Families (PAFF) program. 

“Ang Lab for All caravan ay isang mahalagang inisyatiba ng ating mahal na Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at ng ating masipag na First Lady. Layunin ng proyektong ito na maghatid ng libreng konsultasyon, X-ray, laboratory tests, at gamot sa mga komunidad na nangangailangan,” the House leader told his province mates.

“Ang proyekto pong ito ay may malalim na epekto at kahalagahan para sa ating mga kababayang Pilipino. Marami sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa mga malalayong lugar, ang walang sapat na access sa mga serbisyong medikal. Dahil dito, madalas na napapabayaan ang kanilang kalusugan,” he said.

LAB stands for Libreng Laboratoryo, Konsulta at Gamot Para sa Lahat. The First Lady has previously taken her health services caravan to other provinces.

Through the President’s and First Lady’s project, Speaker Romualdez said people could avail themselves of free consultation, medicines and laboratory test, which he added could improve their health.

"Para sa mga ordinaryong Pilipino, ang "Lab for All" caravan ay isang malaking tulong. Ito ay nagdadala ng serbisyong medikal direkta sa kanilang mga komunidad. Nagliligtas ito sa kanila mula sa pagod, gastos, at hirap ng pagpunta sa mga malalayong ospital,” he said.

“Lubos naming pinapahalagahan ang dedikasyon at sakripisyo ng ating First Lady at ng buong team na bumubuo ng Lab for All caravan. Sa pamamagitan ng kanilang pagsusumikap, nabibigyan ng pagkakataon ang ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga senior citizens, na makakuha ng serbisyong medikal na libre at abot-kaya,” he said.

The Speaker urged his constituents in Tacloban City and Leyte to take advantage of the First Lady’s health services delivery project.

“Mahal naming First Lady, tunay ngang nakakataba ng puso ang inyong malasakit at pagsusumikap na magbigay ng mas maayos na kalusugan sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

He reiterated his gratitude to the President’s wife for her project.

“Muli, maraming salamat sa inyong lahat, at lalong-lalo na sa ating First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, sa inyong walang-sawang suporta sa ating mga kababayan,” he said.

A total of 1,026 workers received P4,050 each in financial assistance under TUPAD.

Other officials present during the aid distribution in Tacloban City were Tingog Rep. Jude Acidre, Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Dax Villaruel, Department of Labor and Employment regional director. (END)

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RPP Speaker Romualdez sees further easing of inflation: House to try to bring down electricity cost

Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Friday said he is confident that the Marcos administration, together with Congress, principally the House of Representatives, could further ease inflation.

The leader of the 300-plus-strong House made the statement in reaction to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) report that inflation slowed in June to 3.7 percent from 3.9 percent in May due mainly to lower energy and transportation costs.

Speaker Romualdez praised the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. for its outstanding management of the nation’s economy. 

“This means that inflation, which measures the rate of increase in the prices of goods and services, has been effectively controlled by the administration's strategic economic policies,” Speaker Romualdez noted.

He pointed out this achievement amidst ongoing global challenges, including supply chain disruptions and financial instabilities in significant economies.

“We will work to further reduce electricity rates and rice prices. Accomplishing that will surely lead to a further moderation of inflation,” Speaker Romualdez said.

“Titingnan natin ang posibleng amendments sa EPIRA para maibaba natin yung presyo ng kuryente, para abot kaya ng lahat ‘yung sa tamang presyo,” he said. 

He said the House would try to finish the EPIRA changes before Congress goes on its Christmas recess.

“So medyo kumplikado yan kasi malaki itong batas at we will handle it by sections pero kayang kaya natin tapusin ‘yan before siguro the Christmas break,” he added.

Electricity rates in the country are among the highest in the ASEAN region.

Speaker Romualdez said the amendment of the EPIRA would be preceded by an inquiry into the energy situation.

“We want to know what is the problem with the law, why the the law that was supposed to streamline the energy sector has unfortunately brought up electricity rates. We will call all stakeholders - power producers and distributors, the transmission company, and most importantly the consumers represented by consumer groups,” he said.

He expressed elation over the decline in rice inflation, which the PSA reported fell to 22.5 percent in June from 23 percent in May.

He said the administration is trying to bring down rice prices by direct sales to consumers through Kadiwa stores and subsidies.

“P42 to 45 per kilo is achievable,” he said.

Over the long term, he said the House would support farmers with farm inputs, implements, infrastructure, and other forms of assistance to encourage them to increase their produce.

“An increase in the harvest of our farmers will lead to lower prices,” he stressed.

As the House of Representatives leader, Speaker Romualdez has been instrumental in guiding legislative support for the administration’s economic agenda. 

Under his leadership, the House has passed critical legislation for economic stability and growth, ensuring the government has the tools to address inflationary pressures effectively.

Speaker Romualdez said the global economic landscape has been marked by unprecedented challenges, including conflicts that have strained international relations, disruptions in supply chains affecting the availability of goods, and financial instabilities in major economies. 

“These factors have collectively contributed to rising inflation rates worldwide. However, through proactive measures, the Philippine government has successfully navigated these challenges,” he explained.

The House leader noted that the administration has strengthened local production by supporting agriculture and manufacturing sectors, reducing import dependency, and stabilizing essential goods' prices. 

“Targeted financial interventions, such as subsidies for essential commodities and financial support for key industries, have helped cushion the economy against external shocks. Efficient supply chain management, through enhanced logistics and streamlined operations, has ensured the steady flow of goods, preventing shortages and price spikes,” he said.

“Moreover, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has implemented prudent monetary policies, keeping inflation expectations anchored and maintaining currency stability,” he added

Speaker Romualdez said the impact of these measures on ordinary Filipinos has been profound as reduced inflation translates to lower living costs, enabling families to afford necessities without straining their budgets. 

He added that the price stability has also fostered a more predictable economic environment, encouraging both local and foreign investments and subsequently generating more jobs.

“By keeping inflation under control, we have safeguarded the purchasing power of every Filipino. This achievement is not just a testament to the administration’s competence but also a promise of continued prosperity and stability for our nation,” Speaker Romualdez said.

The House leader, however, emphasized the importance of continued vigilance and adaptive strategies to maintain this positive trajectory. 

“We must remain proactive and resilient, ensuring our economic policies evolve with the changing global dynamics. The road ahead may present new challenges, but with the same dedication and strategic approach, we will continue to thrive,” he said. (END)

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