QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) — The controversial urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) said it welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s statement allowing its members to stay in the government housing project that they occupied in Pandi, Bulacan.
Kadamay Chairman Gloria Arellano said that it is a welcome change to have a President that is open-minded about the poor.
Arellano also said that the government should look into the housing shortage in the country.
“So many houses that are built by the government remain unoccupied,” Arellano said in an interview. “We hope that they just distribute it to the homeless poor, ” she added.
The President on Tuesday, April 4, during the anniversary of the Philippine Army said that he is ready to give away the housing units in Bulacan to the qualified members of the group.
“I will ask you soldiers and policemen, bitawan ‘nyo na lang ‘yan. Ibigay na lang natin sa kanila kasi mahirap sila,” Duterte said during his speech.
He then asked the National Housing Authority (NHA) to look for suitable land for bigger houses to be given to the police and military personnel.
“I will look for other land nearby or contiguous to the area and I will make better ones, with water and electricity,” he said.
“I will personally go there to supervise your housing project… I am making you a commitment and I guarantee that you will have yours,” Duterte added.
