SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez today expressed gratitude to the United States government for its additional allocation of ₱13.8 million ($250,000) in emergency shelter assistance and hygiene kits for 3,000 Filipino families affected by severe flooding caused by southwest monsoon rains in July.
He described the supplemental aid as a reflection of the strong and enduring partnership between the Philippines and the United States, emphasizing that this latest humanitarian support 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,” Speaker Romualdez said. “This gesture from Washington reaffirms the U.S.’s unwavering commitment to stand with the Filipino people in both good times and in times of great need.”
The veteran lawmaker from Leyte noted that aside from directly helping flood victims, the U.S. aid underscores the depth of the countries’ bilateral relations, rooted in mutual trust, shared values, and a collective goal to uplift lives.
On Friday, the U.S. Embassy in Manila announced the additional funding, which will provide emergency shelter materials and hygiene kits to approximately 15,000 individuals still staying in evacuation centers in the provinces of Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, and Pampanga.
With this supplemental assistance, the total U.S. humanitarian support for disaster response efforts in the Philippines now amounts to ₱27.6 million ($500,000).
The International Organization for Migration (IOM), in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), will distribute the shelter-grade tarpaulins, repair kits, and essential household items to families whose homes were damaged or destroyed.
Each kit includes basic construction tools and materials to enable households to begin rebuilding.
Hygiene kits—consisting of soap, buckets, and cleaning supplies—will also be distributed, while the IOM will monitor sanitation conditions in evacuation centers to help prevent the spread of disease.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Y. Robert Ewing said the United States is grateful to work with key partners such as the IOM, the World Food Programme (WFP), the DSWD, and the Office of Civil Defense to “help affected families recover and rebuild.”
Previously, the U.S. government provided another ₱13.8 million ($250,000) in assistance through the WFP, enabling the delivery of 47,700 family food packs to more than 200,000 beneficiaries across Northern and Central Luzon. U.S. military aircraft also supported the Armed Forces of the Philippines in delivering 6,300 food packs to 18,000 individuals in Batanes.
Speaker Romualdez urged the DSWD to ensure the efficient and transparent distribution of the latest assistance.
“We ask the DSWD to prioritize low-income households, especially those with senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and young children. These families need urgent support as they rebuild amid the ongoing rainy season,” he said.
He also called on other government agencies and local government units to complement the U.S. aid by ensuring that families in evacuation centers have access to clean, safe hygiene and sanitation facilities.
“We must also do our part in caring for our displaced kababayans. Ensuring their health and safety in evacuation centers is essential, especially as we continue to deal with the impacts of climate change,” Romualdez emphasized.
“Our alliance with the U.S. 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,” he added.
