PRRD debuts in Mula sa Masa, Para sa Masa program

During the program, President Duterte commented on a number of issues. (Photo: Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines)/ Facebook)

MANILA–President Rodrigo R. Duterte appeared Friday before the first episode of Mula sa Masa, Para sa Masa television program on the government channel PTV4, making good on his promise to provide a direct line to the general public and conveying the government’s actions on key national issues.

The public service program hosted by veteran TV reporter Rocky Ignacio allowed the President to air his position on burning issues of the day. The hour long program was also watched by an impressive number of online audience.

During the program, President Duterte commented on a number of issues.

At one point, the Chief Executive conveyed his confidence on the appointment of retired general Roy Cimatu to take over the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

The president who highlighted his concern for the environment as part of his administration’s efforts at nation building said Cimatu is “a silent guy, very low-key personality but he does his work very well”.

“I know Cimatu, he is honest, hardworking, he is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy,” Duterte said. “The quality that had always been my requirement sa mga cabinet members is that you serve with honesty and integrity,” the president underscored.

President Duterte during the program also allayed the public’s fears arising from the pipe bomb attacks recently in Quiapo, in downtown Manila.

“But certainly it is not an ISIS thing. One is that kung ISIS iyan di puputok sa Quiapo yan it could be somewhere else but definitely not Quiapo karamihan nakatira dyan kapatid natin na Moro,” he said.

“If it is ISIS, I do not think it would start there or initiated in that place. Let’s put things at the proper perspective. Para we act fairly in everybody’s thing and this is not theirs,” the president added.

President Duterte also emphasized his administration’s commitment to work closely with its international neighbors for progress and to ensure political stability in the region.