Duterte in Cebu today

President Rodrigo Duterte will be in Cebu today for the launching of a housing project. He will also attend the 49th Charter Day celebration of Mandaue City.

The Philippine Information Agency said the president is expected to arrive at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex at 3 p.m. He will be received by Sixth District Representative Jonas Cortes, Mayor Luigi Quisumbing and other local officials. National Housing Authority general manager Marcelino Escalada Jr. is also part of the party that will receive the president.

Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who is rumored to be running for senator in the 2019 elections, is expected to deliver an inspirational message.

Senator JV Ejercito, Davao City First District Representative Karlo Nograles, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Ilocos Norte Governor Imee Marcos are also expected to join the president.

Duterte will lead the launching of the P128million low cost housing project undertaken by the NHA on a city-owned lot in Barangay Looc.

According to the NHA, the project is intended to provide relocation site to informal settlers living in and along danger areas. Also among the qualified beneficiaries are the homeless residents of the city, needing housing assistance under Republic Act 7279.

"The project was conceived to solve tenurial problems of informal settlers families and is deemed viable and more acceptable because there will be no economic dislocation since they will still be near their livelihood or source of income," the NHA statement reads.

A total of 4,000-square meter property was allocated for the project that includes three condominium buildings with 60 units per building. There will be a total of 180 condominium units at 24 square meters each.

The project packaging started this month until September. The bidding, permits and licenses are expected to be completed by November 2018; mobilization, land development and building construction will start in January 2019; physical completion, sales and disposition will be in June 2020.

FULL ALERT

Police Regional Office-7 is on full alert status due to the visit of the president.

“We are already on full alert, everything is prepared and ready,” said PRO-7 director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas.

Sinas said all personnel are required to be present today. No leaves were allowed. He assured that the region is still safe amid the series of killings.

“I am expecting our people to be intact, unya because of the series of situation gipa-alert namo magcheck point sila inig ka gabii, we will lift that (full alert status) after na siguro paghawa ni President,” he said.

At least 1,000 fullyequipped cops from the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) team will be on standby to respond to protest rallies at the venue where the president is expected. Sinas said that the police were under instruction to exercise maximum tolerance.

He appealed to members of militant groups to be mindful not to obstruct highways and create traffic congestion.