Barangay Maria Cristina, Balo-i, Lanao del Norte
February 28, 2018

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte lauded the fast performance and efforts of the National Housing Authority (NHA) during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Christine Villas housing project at Barangay Maria Cristina of Balo-i in Lanao del Norte.

“At least nakita ko ‘yung lote ninyo maganda.  Maganda ang performance ng NHA ko kasi walang corruption.  Pagka ang pera nagamit sa wastong paraan, meron ka talagang makikita,” President Duterte said.

The President facilitated the time capsule-laying and was briefed by NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada, Jr. about the housing project.

The Christine Villas, a 20-hectare housing project, is set to construct 1,000 housing units at the project site which will be awarded to Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel.

During his speech, the Commander-in-Chief called for unity among the Filipino people and condemned the acts of terrorism that led to war in Marawi City.

“Ito kailangan natin isa, isang bansa lang, isang bansa, hindi tayo mag-aaway.  Huwag ninyong papasukin ang ISIS.  Walang ginawa ‘yan.  Hindi ‘yan Islam.  Alam ko ang lola ko galing dito, Islam.  Walang itinuturo noon at ngayon na pumasok ka sa isang lugar, patayin mo lang ang tao na walang rason at sirain mo at magtawag ka sa — at titingin ka doon sa langit.  Bata, lahat, mag-rape ka,” he said.

He also emphasized his commitment to serve the Moro people and vowed to rebuild Marawi City, as well as provide livelihood programs for them.

“So ‘yun ang ibilin ko sa inyo.  This is the message, which I would like to convey to you — isa lang tayo, Filipino tayo.  At ako, committed ako sa Moro people.  Sa mga bagay na binitawan namin noon,”  President Duterte added.

He was joined in the groundbreaking ceremony by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon, Jr., and other military officials.

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