PRRD returns with 9.45B USD worth of investments from China visit

Francis Mae Macapagat

DAVAO CITY  --  President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced, during his arrival briefing Friday morning, that he has secured billions of investments from his trip to China. He also specifically mentioned the billions of grant from the Chinese government.

PRRD initially bared plans of pouring such grant on building and repairing hospitals in Jolo and Basilan.

Part of the gains from his recent engagement with the Chinese government is the hiring of Filipino teachers. 

Some 2,000 Filipino teachers may land on teaching jobs in China starting this year.

Instead of discussing the issue on sea disputes, the President rather highlighted the need to intensify cooperation with China on trade, tourism, science, technology, energy, to name a few.

“This is not the appropriate time to discuss the West Philippine Sea issue.” The President recognized how disadvantaged the Philippines is in terms of arms if it wages war against China. “I won’t sacrifice the lives of our Filipino soldiers”, he said.

The President mentioned, during his departure briefing for the Boao Forum held at the Davao International Airport last Monday, that he would rather take advantage of the economic gains the country could get from talking business with China than to talk about waging war againts China.

Meanwhile, PRRD reiterated that he is not after his popularity ratings despite a +56 net satisfaction rating or “very good” in the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.

“I am complying (with) my mandate. I said during my campaign that I will stop or at least reduce corruption, drugs, and insurgency. I am willing to go -10 in the net satisfaction survey because I don’t have to be popular. I don’t need it. My job is to implement what I promised”, he quipped.

The President was joined by Presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte in his recent trip to China for the Boao Forum and to Hong Kong where he reported to the overseas Filipino workers and even chatted with them in a Filipino fastfood chain Thursday afternoon. (PIA/Frances Mae Macapagat)