DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Rodrigo R. Duterte cited the National Housing Authority and its General Manager Marcelino Escalada Jr., for the agency’s good performance under his administration.
In his speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of Christine Villas under the New Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police (AFP/PNP) Housing Program on February 28, 2018, Duterte took pride when he introduced Escalada “Tao ko talaga ito, kilala ko ito.”
“Pagka ang pera nagamit sa wastong paraan, meron ka talagang makikita. Hindi naman ako nagyayabang. I do not want to compare myself with anybody. But sa panahon ko,” he said.
He assured the men and women in uniform that public funds are put to good use under his watch.
Duterte lauded Escalada for the fast establishment of the temporary shelters for the displaced residents of Marawi, in the Village of Sagonsongan, Marawi City.
Under the Escalada leadership, Duterte believes the NHA will be able to rectify the errors of the past.
In 2016, Duterte handpicked Marcelino P. Escalada to head the NHA.
Escalada used to be Duterte’s Human Resource Management Officer and City Planning and Development Officer while he was Davao City Mayor.
Escalada, who was amazed by the statement of the President said, “With high expectations from no less than the President, comes a great responsibility to perform our best in accordance with our mandate.”
“The order is tall, the challenge is defined, we need to deliver as expected, We don’t claim perfection but we must work to meet the expectation, ” Escalada added.
Duterte ordered the construction of new housing villages for Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police (AFP/PNP), after soldiers and policemen abandoned their application in the previous projects citing sub-standard construction materials which they consider unfit for settlement.
In his speech, Duterte assured the men and women in uniform that public funds are put to good use under his watch.
