MANILA, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- At a gathering of Filipino-Chinese businessmen Monday night, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte lauded the Chinese community in the Philippines for their generosity in helping the country's poor.

Duterte also thanked the Filipino-Chinese businessmen for their assistance and support to his administration.

"I'd like to thank the Filipino Chinese, especially, community for their untiring toil to help the entire nation in the so many catastrophes and crises that we had faced in the past," Duterte said in his speech during the 10th Biennial National Convention and the 20th Founding Anniversary celebration of the Chinese-Filipino Business Club, Inc. (CFBCI).

The CFBCI celebrates its anniversary with the theme of "Partnership for Unity, Prosperity and Love of Country."

The highlight of the event was the presentation of miniature housing model of Bahay Pagasa (meaning houses of hope) Phase II, a housing project of CFBCI that was inspected by President Duterte in Marawi City on January 30, 2018 shortly after the turnover of Bahay Pagasa I on October 2, 2017.

The CFBCI in cooperation with the Tarlac Heritage Foundation threw its support to the government through its Bahay Pagasa Phase II project. This project provides immediate shelter and accomodation for residents displaced by the conflict in Marawi.