Southern Leyte lawmaker lauds Romualdez, House allies

CONGRESSMAN Christopherson "Coco" Yap of the Second District of Southern Leyte was all praises to House Speaker and Leyte First District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and his colleagues for being his “partners in achieving the goals of ‘Serbisyong Tinuoray’-to bring the government closer to the people of Southern Leyte.”

"As the main co-author of House Bill (HB) No. 2715, which would improve the Sogod District Hospital, Speaker Romualdez's support and the support of other House members like Cong. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be key to getting it passed into law," Yap said.

As a neophyte member in the 19th Congress, Yap looked up to the leadership of Romualdez and the support extended by his fellow lawmakers while hoping that “these people continue to be a gift to the province, especially the people of the Second District of Southern Leyte.”

"In the same way, we have always had hope because Vice President Sara Duterte has always stood by us in our efforts to help the people of Southern Leyte, especially during times of disasters and calamities," added Yap, following the annual holiday celebration of the Lakas -CMD headed by Romualdez.

Yap recalled his partnership with Romualdez, together with Tingog Partylist under Representatives Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre, started way back before he became a congressman when the latter was able to donate wheelchairs and provided various forms of assistance to the province of Southern Leyte.

“With their support, we will be able to provide more support services to our district,” Yap said.

Yap disclosed that Romualdez supported his bills creating the 2nd Engineering District Office of Southern Leyte and upgrading the Sogod District Hospital.

He also secured support from the Romualdez couple and Tingog partylist in helping Odette-hit communities in the province and his other tourism development measures, including House Bill No. 2237, which declares Tagbak Marine Park in the Municipality of Liloan as an Ecotourism Zone.

“Such a declaration would lead to the complete development of Tagbak Marine Park as one of the province's best tourist sites, provide green jobs for our people, and allow new enterprises to flourish in the district,” said Yap.

Another measure that gained support from his fellow lawmakers was his House Bill 4095, which seeks to protect the waters surrounding Panaon Island by placing it under the protective mantle of the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System (Enipas).

“The enactment of HB No. 2237 would send a message to the entire world that we are serious about protecting our marine resources and the diverse flora and fauna they support, which attracts visitors to Southern Leyte,” Yap added. (SunStar Philippines)