Tacloban City—Southern Leyte Rep. Christopherson Yap has expressed deep gratitude for House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other allies in Congress for being his “partners” in bringing the government closer to his constituents through the legislative district’s flagship program “Serbisyong Tinuoray”.
“As the main co-author of House Bill No. 2715, which would improve the Sogod District Hospital, Speaker Romualdez’s support and those of other House members like Cong. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be key to getting it passed into law,” Yap said during a recent gathering of the Lakas -CMD members for their annual holiday celebration.
“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,” he added.
As a neophyte lawmaker, Yap looked up to the leadership of Romualdez and the support of his colleagues while hoping that “these people continue to be a gift to the province, especially the people of the Second District of Southern Leyte.”
Yap recalled his partnership with Romualdez, along with Tingog party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre, starting way back before he became a solon when the latter was able to provide wheelchairs and extended various forms of assistance to the province.
“With their support, we will be able to provide more support services to our district,” Yap said.
According to Yap, Romualdez supported the House bills creating the Second Engineering District Office of Southern Leyte and upgrading the Sogod District Hospital.
He also gained support from the Romualdez couple and Tingog party-list in rehabilitating Odette-hit communities in Southern Leyte, as well as his other tourism development measures, including House Bill No. 2237, which declares Tagbak Marine Park in Liloan town as an eco-tourism 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,” Yap said.
“Together with our bill designating the waters surrounding Panaon Island as a protected seascape under the Expanded National Integrated Protected Areas System, 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.