Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
February 28, 2018
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte led the inauguration of the Bahay Pag-Asa Phase 2, an immediate shelter and accommodation project for the internally displaced persons (IDPs), at Barangay Mipaga of Marawi City in Lanao del Sur.
In his speech, President Duterte condemned the acts of the terrorists which led to war and ruins in Marawi City.
“Wala akong sama ng loob sa inyo. Hanggang ngayon, kinalimutan ko na ‘yun. Galit ako sa mga taong taga-labas at pumunta dito para udyukin ang mga Moro na lumaban sa gobyerno at makipag-away. At ang dala-dala nila, hindi naman relihiyon. Ginagamit lang nila ang relihiyon. Ang alam lang nila, alin man doon sa lugar sa Middle East hanggang ngayon, sira ang Middle East at nawalan na sila ng pwesto, pumupunta dito at maghanap naman ng away. Walang alam ‘yan kung hindi magpatay ng tao at magsira,” the President said.
He also assured the people on the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) during his term, and vowed to rebuild their city.
“Yang BBL na ‘yan titingnan namin, lulusot ‘yan. Talagang sabi ko, pagkatapos niyan, if it’s earlier than 2020, ‘pag meron federal at bagong presidente which would call for an election, I will step down by 2020. Hindi ko na hintayin ‘yung 2022…Let’s try to build ‘yung Marawi at least sa panahon ko. May three years and a half pa ako. Magbuhos ako ng pera dito. Maghiram kayo,” he added.
According to Philippine Army (PA) Commanding General Lt. Gen. Rolando Joselito Bautista, the Bahay Pag-Asa Phase 2 project covers 60 permanent houses with its own kitchen, toilet and bath facilities. The complex comes with a deep well, water storage facilities, electric power connection, and a community center with a volleyball court, basketball court, children’s playroom and learning center, a 500-square meter Hardin ng Lunas vegetable and herbal garden, and sixty (60) parking lots to ensure the privacy and comfort of the intended residents.
“Today’s Bahay Pag-asa Phase 2 immediate shelter and accommodation project is a testament of public-private partnership. The creation of community complex that takes into account the welfare, the dignity, and the comfort of the intended recipients,” said Dr. Isabel Suntay, Co-Founder of the Tarlac Heritage Foundation, Inc., as she presented the overview of the project before the President and military officers.
President Duterte was accompanied in the inaugural event by Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and National Security Adviser (NSA) Hermogenes Esperon, Jr. The President initially visited the immediate shelter and accommodation project last January 30, 2018 for a site inspection.
* * *