President Duterte promises better housing settlement for military, police

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday vowed that government will construct better housing projects for the uniformed personnel.(Photo: RICHARD MADELO/Presidential Photo)

PUETRO PRINCESA, Palawan—President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday vowed that government will construct better housing projects for the uniformed personnel.

“So nakikiusap na ako sa inyo as your President na ibigay na lang natin sa kanila, sa Kadamay and do not worry because I will build you a better one,” Duterte told the soldiers during his visit at Camp General Artemio Ricarte.

The President was referring to the group Kadamay who occupied vacant housing units in resettlement area in Pandi, Bulacan intended for the military and policemen.

“Huwag kayo magsama ng loob tutal ang naibigay naman natin sa ating kapwa Pilipino eh at saka mahirap rin. But it doesn’t mean to say that government, ako, has forgotten you. I said I commit to you now na may magdating sa inyo na bago at mas maganda,” he added.

The Chief Executive pledged that the resettlement sites will have water and electricity unlike the housing projects of the previous administrations.

Aside from houses, the President also promised to provide firearms to the uniformed service.

He said he does not want soldiers to walk around Mindanao without guns. (These) “hopefully will bolster your sense of security and vigilance,” he said.

Prior to his speech, the President witnessed the planting of a narra tree named “Dutertree” in front of the headquarters of the Western Command.

Duterte on the West Philippine Sea

The Chief Executive attended a situation briefing, led by Western Command Commander Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario, at the News Conference Room: on various security updates on West Philippine Sea; developments in Recto Bank involving other claimant countries; oil explorations; and sustained peace efforts on Internal Security Operations in Palawan.

Meanwhile, the President told reporters that he has instructed the Armed Forces of the Philippines to occupy the islands in the West Philippine Sea during the situation briefing.

“Well, the usual. We tried to be friends with everybody but we have to maintain our jurisdiction now, at least the areas under our control. And I have ordered the Armed Forces to occupy all — these so many islands, I think nine or 10 — lagyan ng structures and the Philippine flag,” he said.

He also threw his full support to the development of the Pag-asa airport.

“Gagastos ako diyan sa fortifications diyan because I want to — including the Benham Rise on the right side of the Philippines in the Pacific,” he said, adding that he will officially claim it as ours and rename it as “Philippine Ridge”.

“Kasi parang ridge…continuous kasi ang continental shelf diyan sa baba eh…it connects one ridge to another,” the President explained.

Duterte to fire more corrupt officials

The Chief Executive said he is eyeing to dismiss more erring government workers.

“Mag-dismiss pa ako ng marami. I have dismissed about 92, karamihan sa mga LTFRB, LTO,” he said.