KIBAWE, Bukidnon -- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Tuesday assured local officials that the Duterte administration will not leave them in the fight against the ill effects of the COVID-19 pandemic until the end of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term next year.

In his brief engagement with officials of the local government here, Secretary Andanar stressed that having a President who comes from Mindanao and has a good track record in political leadership was a key factor which enabled President Duterte to effectively lead the country.

“Naa mi diri karon para i-assure si Mayor and the rest of the LGU officials that the President will continue to do his job nga paninguhaon nga makab-ot nato ang proteksyon batok COVID-19 [We are here to assure the Mayor and the rest of the LGU officials that the President will continue to do his job to ensure that we will reach protection against the COVID-19],” he said.

He also sought the continued support of the LGU in the remaining months of the administration. He asked for them to work with the national government and intensify campaigns to encourage more of their constituents to get vaccinated.

“Mangayo lang ko’g assurance pud ug suporta kay unom nalang ka bulan ang nabilin sa Duterte administration ug importante ni para sa recovery sa atong nasud gikan sa negative na epekto sa pandemya [I am asking for your assurance as well and support because we only have 6 months remaining and this is important for the recovery of our country from the negative effects of the pandemic],” he added.

On the same engagement, Kibawe Mayor Reynaldo Ang Rabanes said that it was during the current administration that they felt closer to the national government and connected to the Office of the President, which provided them with much easier access for support on their requests for funding on various projects.

“Taliwala nga layo kayo ta sa mga sikat nga lungsod pero naa diha ang presensya nga mura ba’g ato lang sila nga makab-ot. Mao na’y gitawag nga usa ka Duterte legacy kay lahi ra gyud ang pag-alaga sa atong mga gagmay nga lungsod [Even though we are far from from those known cities we can still feel the presence in such a way that we can easily reach out. That’s what you call a real Duterte legacy because there's attention given to small towns like us],” he said. (PCOO)