Duterte-Pimentel Kitchen launch set in Cagayan de Oro

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY -- Hundreds of poor residents will be served free "lugaw" during the launch of the "Libreng Kusina sa Mindanao," a mobile Duterte-Pimentel Kitchen free-feeding program, today (Feb. 25) in Barangay Macabalan in Cagayan de Oro City.

The event is being organized by supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte and Senate President Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III in cooperation with local leaders of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP Laban).

Teresa Pimentel, convenor of the event, said the feeding program is the Mindanaonons version to celebrate the anniversary of the 1986 "People Power" that led to the downfall of the martial law regime.

She said it was in Mindanao the seeds of the protest movement against the late President Ferdinand Marcos also took roots when then opposition Mayor Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel Jr. of Cagayan de Oro City openly criticized him.

Because of his open defiance on Marcos, the elder Pimentel was imprisoned several times on trumped up charges, becoming one of the steadfast leaders of the opposition against martial rule.

Meanwhile, Chairman Marlo Tabac of Barangay Gusa, who is also the PDP Laban City Council president, said the free "lugaw" program is open to everybody, especially the less fortunate residents of Cagayan de Oro City.

He said the PDP Laban is planning to expand the service of free "lugaw" to other cities and provinces in Mindanao to help the poor, especially school children in the countryside.

Expected to grace the "Libreng Kusina sa Mindanao" are top PDP Laban leaders.

Pimentel thanked Barangay Macabalan Chairman Norvel Saa for his assistance in preparing the venue of the free "lugaw" public service by the "Libreng Kusina sa Mindanao."