Duterte: Use China aid for Mindanao hospitals upgrade
DAVAO CITY , Philippines — President Duterte wants part of the almost P4 billion that China pledged during the recently concluded Boao Forum for Asia to be used to upgrade hospitals in Mindanao, particularly in Jolo and Basilan.
The President noted that many of the hospitals in Mindanao have no equipment, such as CT scan or MRI machines. He said part of the grant could also be used to purchase medicine for these hospitals.
“It’s P4 billion straight, gratis lang… I will ask permission from Congress. I want them to know because they have the power over the purse,” the President said upon arrival from Hong Kong at the Davao International Airport before dawn yesterday.
“We’ll discuss that later… what I will do with the money,” he said.
The President said the grant is aside from nine business agreements signed with Chinese companies worth around $9 billion. He said these agreements are expected to provide more than 10,000 jobs for Filipinos.
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