Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City
January 23, 2019
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte graced the Tricycle Operators and Drivers’ Association (TODA) Summit at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
During the event, the Chief Executive, together with Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso Cusi, led the turnover of one (1) unit of electronic tricycle or E-Trike to the Mandaluyong City government. President Duterte also gave additional units to randomly selected TODA members. The DOE shall also facilitate the ceremonial distribution of the remaining hundreds of E-Trike units to the other local government units of Metro Manila.
The E-Trike Project of the DOE seeks to encourage the shift from oil to a cleaner alternative source of energy for the tricycle operators and drivers.
In his speech, President Duterte reiterated anew his firm resolve against the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country as he sympathized with the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) grueling abroad, just to find out that their children are addicted to drugs.
“One million six of my countrymen are slaves. Anong gawain ko diyan sa 1.6? Alam mo ang pamilya, tatay, nanay, anak, ‘pag tinanggal mo ang tatay, dysfunctional na ang pamilya. ‘Di na talaga kumpleto ‘yan. ‘Pag ang tatay pumunta doon sa Middle East magtrabaho minus the father, the family is dysfunctional na. ‘Pag nagpunta ang mag-asawa doon sa Middle East, the family is totally dysfunctional,” he said.
President Duterte also vowed to maximize the remaining years of his term as the country’s leader by further advancing his service and programs for the interest and security of the Filipino people.
“Now sabi nila the Presidency is a gift from God. I agree. Hindi naman kami nag-usap ng Diyos, pero sabi lang nila na ibinibigay ng Diyos ‘yan as a gift to a person. Oh well. So I’m working as a President and I will work as a President,” he added.
After almost a decade, this was the only time that thousands of TODA officials and members convened again for a Summit since 2008. National and local government officials, as well as representatives from different government agencies, also joined them in the gathering.
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