Duterte: No demolition without relocation during my term

President Rodrigo R. Duterte and San Beda law alumni pose for a “Duterte fist” during a fellowship dinner at the Heroes Hall in Malacañan Palace on July 17. KING RODRIGUEZ/Presidential News Desk

President Rodrigo Duterte has reiterated his plan to prohibit the demolition of informal settlers who do not have the option of relocation.

“During my time there will be no demolition pag walang relocation, ‘di ako papayag (During my time there will be no demolition if there is no relocation. I will not allow it),” Duterte said during a dinner in Malacañang with San Beda College of Law alumni on Sunday.

READ: “No demolition without relocation” sa Duterte admin

“Kasi kung walang mapuntahan, sirain mo ang bahay… ano parang aso? Eh saan pupunta yung mga tao?” he said.

(If they have no place to go, you will destroy their houses…will we treat them like dogs? Where will the people go?)

Duterte said the government will look for suitable relocation areas for the poor. He said they will also need to build new industries.

To fund his administration’s anti-poverty programs, Duterte said he instructed Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Commissioner Caesar Dulay to implement strict policies in the collection of taxes.

He specifically pointed to the enforcement of laws on tax-free importation of goods. He claimed that many rich businessmen have evaded paying adequate taxes. RAM/rga