Regions Briefs: Oct. 9, 2018

China gives P150M for classrooms

DAVAO CITY — This city appeared to be reaping the windfall from President Rodrigo Duterte’s pivot to China.

The Chinese government has donated P150 million to a nongovernment organization (NGO) founded by Mayor Sara Duterte, the President’s daughter, for the construction of more classrooms.

The donation was China’s way of committing support for education, said a statement by Mayor Duterte’s NGO, Tapang at Malasakit Alliance (TMA).

Funds released by the Chinese Embassy in Manila were sent to TMA to build 13  classrooms in some of the city’s public schools, according to TMA.

Mayor Duterte, in a speech during groundbreaking ceremonies at Agdao Elementary School on Friday, thanked Beijing for “the generosity it has shown” to Davao, which Mr. Duterte ruled for more than 20 years as mayor. —Frinston Lim