Pres. Duterte: Scout Rangers’ homes to be completed in December 2018

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, in his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Scout Ranger Ville in San Miguel, Bulacan on October 11, 2017, enumerates the different housing units that he has alloted for law enforcers. The President then further committed to providing more housing units for the government troops. (KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

SAN MIGUEL, Bulacan — President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, October 11, led the groundbreaking ceremony of a housing project here for the Scout Rangers.

“So by December hopefully, by the grace of God, we will have your units ready,” the President said in his speech. “General Ed Del Rosario, sabi naman ni Housing, he will deliver the houses to you December 2018. So, 2018 tapos na ‘yung mga bahay,” he added.

The National Housing Authority project, under the AFP/PNP Housing Program, will provide 1,000 housing units for the members of the 1st Scout Ranger Regiment. The Chief Executive also announced that aside from the houses, the soldiers will also receive PHP70,000.

The Manila Banking Corporation (Manilabank), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Housing Authority (NHA), Pag-IBIG Fund, Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) and the Scout Ranger Multi-Purpose Cooperative entered into an agreement for the development of the 50-hectare portion of the Manilabank property into a housing site.

A 200-million subsidy fund from the Budget department will finance the construction of the housing project.

During his speech, President Duterte advised officials to choose durable materials for the housing units, adding that he is interested in the improvement of the quality of fixtures.

“What I have noticed actually ‘yung — take note of this, Housing, ‘yung mga materials sa banyo. ‘Yun ang nagbe-break down kaagad,” he said. “But I’d like you to choose the durable ones. Wear and tear ‘yan araw-araw. Pati ‘yung — ang unang nagfa-falter, alam mo? Flush,” he added.

He also discussed the various housing projects for government troops in Davao City, Zamboanga City, in Mati, and in Iligan City. President Duterte said he prioritized the housing project for soldiers because their lives are always in danger.

“Ngayon, sabi ko… Bakit ko kayo inuna? Matagal ako sa gobyerno. Ang tatay ko was once upon a time a JAGO during war,” he said.

“And used to say that he was also governor of Davao.

 Inuuna niya dahil ang sundalo pati pulis, on the average — do not be offended — medyo nasa delikado na sitwasyon everyday sa buhay nila,” the President explained.

The Chief Executive also announced that 5,000 units of Kalashnikov rifles from Russia will arrive for the government forces. “As part of the… ‘Yung dala ko galing Russia, pumunta kami almost just below 24 hours. We will have the Kalashnikov so it’s just a matter of using the — memory lang ‘yan, 5,000,” the President said.

He also discussed in his speech the proposal to put on lease properties of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). “Doon na kayo kumuha ng incremental increase ninyo, plus the additional — ‘yung appropriation ng gobyerno sa budget. Then you have the income from the — ‘yung propedad ninyo, ‘yun,” he said.

The President also directed Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to form a committee with members who are knowledgeable about investment.