Duterte asks P30-M more from PCSO for Albay relief ops

LEGAZPI CITY — President Rodrigo Duterte is asking P30 million more from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for the relief operations here following Mount Mayon’s eruption.

PCSO, through board member Sandra Cam, handed over P5 million to Governor Al Bichara during a situation briefing with disaster and local officials on Monday afternoon.

“Can I ask for about P30 million more?” Duterte told Cam.

During the start of the briefing, Duterte said in jest to Cam: “Hinahanap ka ni Balutan (Balutan is looking for you).”

The President was referring to PCSO General Manager Alexander Balutan, with whom Cam had a rift.

“Kaibiganin mo na iyan si Balutan. ‘Wag mo na awayin (Be friends with Balutan, don’t fight with him),” he said.

Duterte has given the provincial government of Albay an initial P20 million for relief operations and promised to send P50 million more on Tuesday. /je