By Earl Jed Roque/PNA
MANILA — President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Wednesday promised to provide stable electricity supply and land reform for Masbateños.
In his speech at the launching of the Negosyo Serbisyo sa Barangay in Dimasalang, Masbate, Duterte ordered responsible offices to address Masbateños’ concern in land dispute and electricity.
The President said he has already ordered Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Secretary John Castriciones to include Masbate in the areas to be prioritized in DAR’s land reform program.
“I-land reform ko ang Masbate. Maniwala kayo. Itaga ninyo sa bato ‘yan. (I will implement land reform in Masbate. Believe me. Cast it in stone.) With or without the communists, we can. Meron pa akong three years. (I still have three years in office),” he said.
Masbate is known as a hotbed of communist insurgency in the country.
Meanwhile, reacting to the residents’ concern of many houses without electricity, the President also ordered the electric cooperative in the province to shape up.
He warned that if the cooperative fails to improve in two to three months, their franchise would be expropriated.
“Ibigay ko ito sa may pera (I’ll give it to rich investors). Choose. You improve the place, maghiram kayo ng pera, kumpletuhin ninyo ang franchise (borrow money, complete the franchise) or I will expropriate you and place it there in the block,” he said.
The President said aside from rich businessmen in the country, he is also open to other countries such as Japan, Korea, or China as potential investors in the electric cooperative.
Duterte assured that proper bidding procedures will be observed if the electric cooperative in the province continues to underperform.
