President Duterte sets sight on modified land reform
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Monday, February 6, 2016, led the launching of “Hardin ng Lunas sa PSG” at the Presidential Security Group (PSG) Grounds, Malacañan Park, where he vowed to continue land reform programs.
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“Kailangan natin ng lupa. I will continue with the land reform, but modified. ‘Pag ako nagbigay ng konti, isa, dalawang ektarya, susuportahan ko talaga. Like this, seedlings, fertilizers, lahat,” the Commander-in-Chief said.
“In my time, nag-iipon lang ako ng pera, ‘pag nag-land reform ako, if I give you five hectares I will support you all the way and buy your product,” he continued.
President Duterte, meanwhile, warned real estate speculators, those who buy lands with the hope that the price will increase, that he will tax idle lands heavily.
“If (land) hasn’t been developed for 10, 20 years, dodoblehin ko ‘yung real estate mo o triple, unless you are willing to lend it to somebody, to the barangay para magamit ng mga tao,” the President cautioned.
The “Hardin ng Lunas”, Duterte said, reminded him of his late mother Soledad ‘Nanay Soling’ Duterte, whose death anniversary was commemorated last Saturday. He said his late mother used to be an advocate of land use.
“Ayaw ko magyabang pero ‘yun ang nanay ko. My mother was also a civic worker. She established the Boys Town, nagtayo sya ng village for the blind. Tinuruan silang magtanim. That is my mother’s legacy, and many others. Iyon ang nanay ko. She was the exponent of vacant lots that can be used,” he said.
“PSG’s Hardin ng Lunas harvest will address issues on food security. The assorted vegetables will be shared with the needy from Hospicio de San Jose, unprivileged families living around the areas of Malacañang Park, government run rehabilitations centers situated near the PSG and dependents of this unit. Excess produce can be sold in the market and profit will be plowed back into the project to ensure self-sufficiency,” said PSG Commander Brig. Gen. Rolando Joselito Delizo Bautista.
“Through this endeavor, members of the PSG must learn from our Commander-in-Chief to develop a sense of compassion and urgency in serving our less fortunate brothers and sisters,” Brig. Gen. Bautista said.
The PSG, together with Mr. Tony Cortes of Corvill Agricom Inc. and Dr. Isa Cojuangco-Suntay of Tarlac Heritage Foundation, developed an idle lot in the PSG compound into a semi-organic vegetable garden planted with assorted vegetables and root crops, such as mustard, water spinach, cabbage, okra, among others.
“I’d like to commend the Suntay sisters for their— sayang ma’am, naabutan mo sana nung buhay pa nanay ko, makapagintindihan talaga kayo. What she was doing hardin, Philippine mental health. Marami ang nanay kong ano, especially yung farming,” President Duterte said.
“Change does not come easy, it requires hardwork, perseverance and commitment. Members of the PSG strive to possess all these traits. Because at PSG, we do not only protect and serve, but we also share and give,” Brig. Gen. Bautista said.
(Report from PND/Philippine News Agency)
Pres. Duterte looks on as the Presidential Security Group Choir delivers a song number. pic.twitter.com/qkazjOPE3Q
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Brig. Gen. Bautista acknowledged Choir Master Mr. Zeb Zuniga and Ms. Isa Suntay for elevating the level of performance of the PSG’s 30-voices choir, and all the officers and enlisted personnel of the PSG including those from OPCON units who contributed for the success of the Hardin ng Lunas project.