When it comes to funding projects, PRRD says he doesn’t play favorites

President Duterte is not playing favorites when it comes to channeling government funds for development projects of provinces. The President has assured there would be equal distribution of government resources for provinces regardless of their political affiliations under his watch.

“If you are just worried about the distribution of the wealth of the nation in form with budget and what you get. Ah wala ho kayong problema diyan (You have no problem with that),” he said during a national assembly of councilors in Iloilo City last Wednesday.

“Ako maligaya ako (I am happy with) anything that improves anywhere in the Philippines. Eh wala na kasi ako sa politika (I’m done with politics). Mine is just to say that everything is fair,” he said.

Duterte said he has already directed his officials to continue the worthy development projects initiated by his predecessors.

Among the projects cited by the President were the construction of the Mactan Cebu International Airport, the Pangalo airport in Bohol, and improvements of the Clark airport in Pampanga.

“I have always instructed and that is my standing instruction all the way until matapos ako, God willing. Ah meron ‘yang national plan and I think it was Arroyo’s time sabi ko pati ‘yung kay Aquino, kopyahin lang ninyo ‘yan and distribute the public works, money equally all throughout, (until I end my term, God willing. There is a national plan I think it was Arroyo’s time and I told them to include Aquino’s, copy them and distribute the public works, money equally all throughout),” he said.

He said Iloilo airport might also need expansion due to the influx of more tourists into the province. “You’re getting a lot of foreigners now. You have outpaced everybody including Davao,” he said.

Duterte also said he does not interfere with government contracts and would let the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) handle such development project proposals.

“Hindi ako nakikialam po. Hindi ka magpunta sa akin na ano… I’ll just refer you to NEDA and say that if it is good for the place, probinsiya mo di hingiin mo (I don’t interfere. Don’t go to me. I’ll just refer you to NEDA an say if it is good for the place, for your province, then ask for it),” he said.

He said NEDA usually studies the pros and cons of a project proposal. “And if you deserve it, you get it,” he added.