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Bulusan, Sorsogon Mayor Weng Rafallo-Romano has released an official statement addressing Vice Ganda's recent viral comment about his donation to Bagacay Elementary School, which the TV host referred to as being located in “Heart Evangelista's province.”

In the statement, Mayor Rafallo-Romano clarified that Heart Evangelista had nothing to do with the matter.

“Tahasan niyang sinabi na bulok ang eskwelahan sa probinsya ni Heart Evangelista at walang mga reading materials. Nais ko pong bigyang-diin na wala pong kinalaman si Ms. Heart Evangelista-Escudero sa isyung ito,” the mayor stated.

Rafallo-Romano also revealed that Vice Ganda donated a total of ₱67,360 to the school.

“Nagpapasalamat po ang LGU Bulusan sa ipinakitang malasakit ni Vice Ganda, ngunit ang paraan ng pagsasamadla ng kanyang donasyon na may komentong 'bulok na paaralan at walang reading materials' ay nagdulot ng kahihiyan sa Bagacay Elementary School, sa bayan ng Bulusan at sa Department of Education,” he added.

The mayor expressed gratitude for the comedian's generosity but emphasized that the manner in which the donation was presented, paired with remarks describing the school as dilapidated and lacking materials, caused embarrassment to the institution, the town, and the Department of Education.

The statement has since sparked mixed reactions online, with some praising Vice Ganda's charitable act while others echoed the mayor's sentiment on the importance of sensitivity when highlighting the needs of public schools.

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