Duterte urges public to donate to gov’t instead of TV stations

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte presides over a situation briefing with the members of his cabinet and local government officials at the Provincial Capitol Guest House in Isabela on September 18, 2018 to discuss the disaster response measures on the aftermath of Typhoon ‘Ompong.’ KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday urged the public to send donations for victims of Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut) to the government, particularly the military, and or humanitarian organization Red Cross instead of private TV stations.

“I will not mention it but yung mga (those) prominent TV network, I’m giving you a testimony, personal. Ang sabi(They say), mag-donate kayo, used clothes ganun, sa kanila (to them) then they’ll give you a bank account number where you can deposit your donation. You’re better off giving it to government or to the military and let them distribute it direct,” Duterte said in a situation briefing at the Provincial Capitol Guest House in Isabela.

Duterte claimed that he personally saw how staff members of a TV station, which he did not name, would sort out donations that were usable for them.

“Because I have a TV program, nakikita ko yung matatanda diyan sa opisina (I can see the older employees in the office) they were sorting out the things that were usable or are usable for them,” Duterte said.

“Maniwala kayo sa akin (Believe me) as your president, I’m giving you what I saw and what I have learned so ‘yan lang muna (that’s all for now),” he added.

The President acknowledged that people have a tendency to distrust the government’s sincerity in terms of disaster relief efforts but noted that most officials are really just doing their job.

“Hindi naman mapilit ang perception ng tao sa amin (We cannot force the perception of people on us),” Duterte said.

“But most of the officials who have sworn their duty to the people, nandiyan ‘yan nagta-trabaho (they’re just doing their job),” he added.

Duterte also lauded the local government units (LGUs) of Isabela province for their quick disaster response on the onslaught of the typhoon.

“Ang pumunta ako dito is (I came here) to congratulate the officials, the governor, vice governor and everybody of you who were ready at the forefront really to face the onslaught and I admire the preparation…” Duterte said.

He called on officials anew to build more gyms that could serve as refuge centers for families displaced by calamities and minimize the use of public schools as evacuation centers.

Duterte, meanwhile, said he was unsure about calling for a revolution against mining, noting that it has “abused” the resources of the country.

He criticized “mining people” for occupying and mining watershed areas.

“I don’t know if I’d have to call a revolution just for mining. Revolution in the sense that I’ll not use the arms but I’ll force them out,” Duterte said, adding that he would have to consult with his economic team.

The mining industry has been contributing at least PHP70 billion to the government every year.

Duterte said he did not “hate” mining as long as it was legal, but noted that such an activity “cannot go on.”

“I do not hate mining–it’s allowed but I would say that the time has come when our motherland is overused and abused and this cannot go on,” Duterte said.

“I’d like to ask them how much PHP70 billion can do to the country if you compare it to the losses of the Philippines because of mining,” he added.

Duterte earlier said he would someday confront Congress on the need to close the mining industry following the Itogon mining site tragedy.

“He (Duterte) has insinuated already that it is right time for everyone to consider doing away with mining,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.

Roque said the President is amenable that his suggestion would need a legislative approval, possibly by repealing the Philippine Mining Act.