Bias free President Rodrigo Duterte said assuring the welfare of Filipinos affected by calamities goes beyond political colors. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Setting aside politics, President Rodrigo Duterte said his administration is “ready to spend” P46 billion for rehabilitation and to build at least 300 sturdy evacuation centers in the Bicol region after the destruction caused by tropical depression “Usman.”

Some of his fiercest critics, Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV hailed from the Bicol region.

The President said he will ask Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council Chairman Eduardo del Rosario to initiate the construction of houses in the region.

During a situation briefing in Pili, Camarines Sur, after an aerial inspection of the calamity-hit region late Friday, Mr. Duterte said the government intends to draw most of the funds needed from proceeds of the motor vehicles users charge which will be transferred to the treasury once the graft-prone Road Board is abolished.

“For me, if they would listen to my appeal that we use part of the money for the pressing problems of Bicol. It’s about P46 billion,” Duterte said, stressing that he wanted the houses to be more disaster resilient.

“I’m ready to spend the money to improve the topography of the place and make it safe for people to build houses,” Duterte said.

“If it can be freed and transferred to another department for good use, I said I will ask Ed (Del Rosario) to initiate the construction of some of these houses here in areas which you think are safe. Maybe I’ll give you 300 houses,” Mr. Duterte said.

Duterte said he wanted the houses to be made of cement and used solely for evacuation purposes.

“It has to be a durable one, cement. But this can only be used for evacuation purposes and to keep the people safe and not to disturb the resumption of the governmental functions that we have, the ministrant schooling and everything,” Duterte said.

He also noted since Del Rosario is currently busy with the rehabilitation of Marawi City after the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group occupied the city on 23 May 2017, the housing chief could order someone to do it for him.

“If you are not so loaded with work in Marawi, you might also want to assign one guy here to do just the observation and for you to go around and suggest what would be the best remedy. You can always contact General Año (Interior Secretary retired Gen. Eduardo Año),” Duterte said.

The President also admitted having erred in his appreciation of the narcotics problem when he assumed the presidency.

“I was wrong.” Mr. Duterte admitted as he added he underestimated the scale of the country’s drug problem.

The President, however, said he is not apologetic and is ready to take responsibility for the vigorous methods employed against narcotics.

Mr. Duterte, during the 2016 presidential campaign, vowed to eradicate illegal drugs within six months should he be elected into office. Nearly three years since his ascension to the presidency, the Chief Executive said ridding the Philippines of narcotics will require every minute he is on the job up until he finishes his term.

“I was mistaken because I thought that I could fix it just like Davao. When I was mayor, that’s what I said. Do not destroy my city, because I will kill you. Do not destroy my country or you’ll get it from me,” the President said.

It was when he assumed office that he realized the magnitude of the drug problem plaguing the country. Adding to it the fact that high-ranking officials from the police and Bureau of Customs personnel as coddlers of drug pushers or themselves acting as drug lords.

“I could not really fulfill my promise to do away with drugs within six years. Impossible. It’s going to be a continuing one. It’s the bane of all countries right now,” the Chief Executive said.

Still, he vowed to not let up in his controversial campaign against illegal drugs and personalities he called “psychos” involved in the trade as he promised a bloody clampdown against narcotics until he steps down.

“I’m just giving a warning, that for the remaining three years, the big players will be hit. And if you ask me if they die, they will really die,” Mr. Duterte stressed.

“That goes for everybody and until now, to the last day of my term,” he added.

He even challenged drug lords and human rights advocates to kill him first or he would get his hands dirty and rid the country of all addicts and pushes.

The Chief Executive also said he is unfazed by the possibility of being thrown behind bars once he is out of Malacañang.

“I can take risks. I can go to prison. I am used to being behind bars,” he added.