Duterte admits ‘crying’ during opening of the oil field in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte admitted to crying when he saw oil during the ceremonial opening of the oil field in Algeria, Cebu.

The tough-talking President was overwhelmed with emotion on the first onshore oil discovery in the country. During the inauguration of a bridge-widening project in Davao City last May 24, he said, “Last week I was in Alegria, Cebu. For the first time nakita ko ‘yung apoy na…when I turned on the valve para lumabas ‘yun and pag-uwi ko sa chopper kunyari nag-wipe ako ng face ko but I cried. At least for the first time nakita ko oil.”

Duterte admits ‘crying’ during opening of the oil field in Cebu
The President got emotional during the ceremonial valve-opening | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Presidential Communications

Duterte shared that the reason why we are not as progressive as other nations such as Japan is not because we are lazy but we don’t have precious oil. He said, “After the war, we were given our freedom. While we were working a lot hard really building our country, mayroong isang bagay na wala tayo na nandiyan sa kanila and what is it? It’s oil.”

“It’s not because we are lazy that the Japanese are better off than us. We do not have the… they do not have the monopoly of industry. Problema wala tayong oil and oil builds the roads,” the President added.

Duterte also explained that the once-promising Malampaya gas field project off the coast of Palawan had now become a source of corruption but promised to clean it up. He said, “But I can assure you that I will get into it. I won’t let it go on any further. You know me, I’ve been your mayor for 23 years. I’ve been quite strict with money.”

Duterte admits ‘crying’ during opening of the oil field in Cebu
The Algeria natural gas and oil field is the country’s first onshore oil discovery | Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Presidential Communications

The Alegria natural gas and oil field

The Department of Energy (DoE) expects that the Alegria natural gas and oil field in southern Cebu can generate energy sources for the next 20 years.

It is considered to be the first onshore oil discovery in the country. It is operated by China International Mining Petroleum Co. Ltd. (CIMP) and is expected to help improve the economic prospects of Algeria, Cebu.

The President advised the local government officials and CIMP representatives, “Prepare for massive migration. Where there’s money, people will flock. Squatters will also come. But accommodate them and let them partake of the bounties God has given us from the bowels of the earth.”

— Sally, The Summit Express



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