Pacquiao to fire officials not acting on environmental concerns

If elected, presidential candidate Senator Manny Pacquiao vowed to sack government officials who are not taking action on issues concerning the environment.

"Kaya sabi ko ako maging pangulo 'pag pinag-usapan natin 'yung problema at 'yung solusyon, tapos walang nangyayari, ay pagsisipain ko kayo, tatanggalin ko kayo lahat, wala kayong karapatan mamuno sa ahensiya na 'yan kung wala kayong magawa," Pacquiao said in a media briefing in Sogod, Southern Leyte.

"Ganu'n ako, boxer kasi ako eh, ayaw ko 'yung stagnant ka, ayaw ko 'yung wala kang nagawa. Ganu'n ako kasi 'pag ako nangarap talagang pursigido ako gagawin ko ang lahat," he added.

Pacquiao made the remark when asked for his plans on beefing up the disaster-preparedness of the Leyte region, which he visited as part of his campaign sortie this week.

To recall, Southern Leyte was badly hit by Typhoon Odette, where more than 400 people have died.

"'Yun ang lagi kong sinasabi kasi being chairman of (Senate) Public Works (committee), nakikita natin 'yan dito sa ating bansa na maraming dumadaan na mga bagyo mga sakuna. Ito'y dapat paghandaan na hindi tayo du'n maghahanda 'pag dumating na," Pacquiao said.

Pacquiao also cited as an example the city of Manila, which is frequently being flooded during typhoons.

"Ang sinasabi ko palagi na habang walang bagyo i-dredge ang mga ilog at linisin 'yung mga drainage, 'yung mga palitan, 'yung drainage system na maliliit lang at palakin and then wag tapon ng tapon ng basura." 

"Sabi ko umpisahan niyo na and then pinatawag ko lahat ng mga local sabi ko kailangan sundin talaga natin 'to kasi walang mangyayari sa atin kung palagi lang tayo naghe-hearing, naghe-hearing dito tapos pinag-usapan 'yung solusyon ng problema tapos 'di naman ginagawa kaya ang nangyayari paulit nang paulit 'yung problema ng ating bansa walang pagbabago," the boxing icon said.—LDF, GMA News