2 House bills to give Eastern Samar students opportunity for quality, competitive college degrees

SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Thursday revealed to his fellow Warays the benefits of two measures in the House of Representatives, where poor but deserving students in Eastern Samar no longer have to leave the province to obtain quality education.

In a speech he delivered at the Capitol Gym in New Eastern Samar on the occasion of the province’s 58th Founding anniversary, Speaker Romualdez informed guests and the crowd about the advantages House Bill (HB) Nos. 2347 and 5726 will bring about.

“HB 2347 establishes a Satellite Campus of the Eastern Samar State University (ESSU) in the municipality of Balangiga, ensuring that the bright minds of our province need not wander far to achieve their dreams,” Speaker Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives, divulged gladly.

“This bill is a testament to our belief that education is the cornerstone of progress,” Speaker Romualdez, the congressman of Leyte’s First District, added, pointing out that HB 5726 will “transform” the ESSU campus in Arteche – a third class municipality – “into a full-fledged institution of learning.”

Substituted by HB6587, HB 2347 was approved by the House on January 31, 2023 and transmitted to the Senate while HB 5726 is undergoing committee deliberations.

“It is an acknowledgment that the quest for knowledge knows no bounds and that the doors of education must be opened wider to embrace all those who seek it,” said Romualdez, who is the principal author of the twin measure, along with Tingog Party List Reps. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez and Jude Acidre.

Speaker Romualdez was guest of honor of the anniversary, where the New Eastern Samar Capitol Building was also inaugurated.

According to Speaker Romualdez these measures—along with House Bill 5731 aimed at putting up an extension office of the Land Transportation Office in the municipality of Dolores— are “concrete actions” they have made as lawmakers to collectively help each other provide easier access to basic services to their constituents.

“It is not just about lessening the long queues, but about bringing the government closer to its people, making your lives easier, and respecting your time and effort,” Speaker Romualdez, president of the ruling Lakas-CMD party, said.

“These bills are more than legislative measures; they are the vehicles through which your government commits to serving you better. They symbolize our dedication to education, our recognition of your needs, and our resolve to ensure that the growth of Eastern Samar is felt in every household,” the Speaker stressed.

Capping the anniversary celebration was the oath-taking of newly-elected barangay officials in the province, administered by Speaker Romualdez.

The event was organized by Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone–a former congressman himself— and was attended by Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Terence Calatrava, Hpuse Minority Leader and 4Ps Partylist Rep. Marcelino Libanan, Eastern Samar Rep. Maria Fe Abunda, Vice Governor Maricar Sison-Goteesan, other elected provincial officials, 22 mayors, 597 barangay captains, and provincial capitol employees.