House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” Gabonada Jr. (right) provides an update during a press conference at the House of Representatives Tuesday morning on the caravan consisting of 24 trucks that delivered relief goods for 150,000 beneficiaries in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Albay provinces. Dubbed as the “The Tabang Bicol, Tindog Oragon,” the relief caravan was initiated by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez based on the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to extend help to the victims of recent typhoons in the region. Also in photo are Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua (left) and Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig 2nd District Rep. Amparo Maria Zamora. They urged Vice President Sara Duterte to attend the scheduled Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Wednesday to directly address lawmakers’ questions.
THE House of Representatives will opt for a simple holiday celebrations this year in solidarity with victims of recent typhoons, responding to the call of the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES) for government agencies to avoid lavish Christmas parties amid widespread calamities.
House Deputy Secretary General Sofonias “Ponyong” P. Gabonada confirmed the decision during the daily press briefing at the House of Representatives Tuesday.
“Of course we will sympathize sa lahat ng naapektuhan ng recent calamities. In fact, nung November 30, supposedly, may HRep Month tayong celebration. It’s a big gathering supposedly, pero the administration and the leadership of the House and per the appeal of the Speaker, Martin Romualdez, ay kinancel po natin lahat ng mga activities na ‘yon,” Gabonada said.
Instead of the usual celebrations, Gabonada said the allocated funds for these activities were redirected toward relief efforts.
“All the financial cash na available ng activity na ‘yon ay dinonate at binili ng mga relief goods para maibigay doon sa mga lugar na nasalanta ng bagyo,” he said.
Manila Rep. Joel Chua echoed the sentiment, urging his fellow lawmakers to adopt a similar approach in their respective districts.
“In fact, siguro I would encourage lahat ng mga congressman pati sa kanilang mga district to do the same, para at least medyo, lalong-lalo na iyung mga distrito na hindi naman nakaranas, para at least to sympathize din naman with the other districts na dumadaan ngayon sa mga pagsubok,” he said.
Chua noted the back-to-back challenges brought by recent calamities, such as Typhoons Kristine and Pepito, which left many areas devastated.
He emphasized the importance of simplicity during this season while keeping the true essence of Christmas in mind.
“Okay lang naman na mag-celebrate kahit na simple dahil siyempre lahat naman din ito, we have to always remember iyung birth ng ating Panginoon and at the same time iyun na rin iyung way natin para makapagpasalamat sa Diyos,” he added.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Taguig City Rep. Amparo Maria “Pammy” Zamora said simplicity has always been a hallmark of their celebrations in the House.
“Ever since naman mula nung nakaupo ako, never naman talaga kami nagkaroon ng magarbong selebrasyon dito, kahit Christmas party. We always just gather here in the House,” she said.
Zamora assured that this year’s celebrations will be even more modest.
“We never really like, never kami lumabas, dito lang sa House, kumakain lang kami. So, it’s always been simple and we assure you that it will be even simpler. Kung pwedeng ‘wag na kaming kumain, go! Gagawin namin,” she stated.
This collective decision by the House leadership reflects a commitment to stand in solidarity with those affected by the recent calamities.
“We are one with the nation to really call for just a simple celebration and to be one with our constituents in various districts, lalo na yung mga Congs natin na lubhang naapektuhan nitong mga bagyo,” Gabonada said.
