Duterte wants to use road user’s tax for disaster-prone Bicol

Update (7:35 p.m.)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte wants the multi-billion peso road user’s tax be used for flood control projects and for dredging rivers in the Bicol region after massive flooding and landslide claimed hundreds of lives there.

Duterte said this in a situation briefing on Friday in Pili town in Camarines Sur as he reiterated his earlier order for the abolition of the graft-ridden Road Board.

“Kausapin ko si Senate President at Speaker, wala ako objection kung tatanggalin, it cannot remain, putang inang corruption (I will talk to the Senate President and Speaker. I have no objection if it is abolished, it cannot remain. Curse corruption),” he said.

“I will commit to you that the first project undertaken under that fund, I am okay, will start with you,” he added.

He said he does not want to release a single centavo from the controversial road user’s tax, but he is willing to release the fund if it can be put to good use.

“Okay, I agree. We will work together, they can’t do anything about it. I will not release a single centavo there, but if it will be put to good use…I am okay with it. I will give you that money. We will get that money,” he said.

The President also said Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chairman Eduardo Del Rosario could also use the money for permanent relocation of residents in safe areas in Albay and Camarines Sur.

“My promise is, once the road tax money is free, you will be the first recipient sa project,” he said.

READ: Duterte says ‘it’s time to abolish’ Road Board

In December 2018, Duterte said it was “time to abolish the graft-ridden Road Board, which has become a milking cow of corrupt politicians.”

Despite earlier pronouncements that it doesn’t want the board abolished, the House of Representatives gave in to the order of Duterte and vowed to work with the Senate for its abolition. /ee

READ: Finally, House accepts abolition of Road Board