The P2-billion assistance package pledged by President Duterte in Surigao City is intended for the communities that may be affected by the closure of irresponsible mining operations, not for the rehabilitation of places hit by the magnitude-6.7 earthquake last Friday, Malacañang clarified yesterday.
“I would like to clarify that. The President was saying that in the context of the mining,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a radio interview.
Andanar explained the President offered the financial package for livelihood programs in the event mining operations are shut down and people lose their jobs.
In his visit last Sunday to Surigao City that was hit by the earthquake, the President promised to extend financial assistance for livelihood programs. He also assured the residents that housing and medicine assistance would also be provided for them.
“I will release money for you so prioritize those who lost their lives and source of living. I’ll release a little.
Is two billion enough for you?” Duterte said in a local dialect. “You won’t really be able to spend all that, will you? Why don’t we just buy them all a subdivision and house and lot,” the President added.
Media agencies reported the President’s P2-billion financial assistance would go to relief and rehabilitation efforts in Surigao del Norte.
Andanar said he conferred with Duterte’s special assistant Christoper Go to “decipher” the President’s financial pledge in Surigao. “Sabi ni Bong wala naman akong narinig na ganoon,” he said.
Instead, Go told Andanar that the President allotted R1 billion for the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s free medicine program and another P1 billion for other needs during a meeting.
“‘Yung R2 billion, ang sinabi, ‘Itong R2 billion okay na ba?’ Ito iyong binanggit ni Presidente, when he was talking in the context of mining problem, na pag naisara ito mangangailangan ng trabaho iyong tao,” Andanar said.
In the same speech last Sunday, the President warned the irresponsible mining companies to clean up their mess or risk closure. He promised to provide alternative livelihood for people affected by the mine closure.
(Genalyn D. Kabiling)