The Three Colors of the Philippines: An Assessment of Duterte’s First Year as Philippine President
It’s not the typical Red, Blue, and Yellow color of the Philippines. When President Duterte seated, it became Red, Black and White.
Philippines as White
White is the last color and it represents the accomplishments of the Duterte administration as it symbolizes hope to the Filipinos. It also includes the State of the Nation Address delivered last July.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION
Freedom of Information Bill
Before Duterte won the presidency, he’s been very vocal about signing the Freedom of Information Bill. This is to ensure the public that they can access all the government documents for pure transparency and accountability.
And as promised, less than a month in office, Duterte signed the Executive Order on FOI.
The EO, however, has many limitations. It will only cover offices under the executive branch. Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said that FOI is a necessary tool to fight against graft and corruption. With this decree, the availability of information is highly expected by the people.
Anti-Smoking Bill
“The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines declares that the state shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.”
On May 16, President Rodrigo Duterte has signed the Executive Order 26. Banning smoking in public places, mainly in schools, recreational facilities, elevators, stairwells, within public and private hospitals, and food preparation area.
Wayback when Duterte was Davao City Mayor, he has also implemented the EO. That is why as a former smoker, the president aims to stop people consuming tobacco products, where it could save thousands of smokers and second hand smokers as well.
In line with this, violators will be fined P500 to P1000 if caught smoking in non-designated smoking area.
Benham Rise: Philippine Rise
The Philippine Rise is the latest addition to Philippine Territory. In 2012, the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLS) confirmed Benham Rise as part of the Philippine’s continental shelf.
The Philippines has sovereign rights over Benham Rise, but does not have sovereignty over it. Regarding to United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) the continental shelf comprises the seabed and subsoil of the submarine areas, a 200 Nautical Miles from a state’s baseline.
As China continues to pass through the island, saying that they were exercising their “innocent passage”, Duterete said in his speech, that he wanted to officially claim Benham Rise as Philippine Territory.
And on May 16, Duterte signed Executive Order No. 25 that formalized the change of name of Benham Rise to Philippine Rise.
Free Education
The Senate approved Senate Bill 1304 which seeks to institutionalize a tuition-free policy in the country’s 112 SUCs.
As per Senator Bam Aquino, the Affordable Higher Education Act is a clear message that the Senate prioritize education and choose to invest in Filipino students especially those in the lower class.
By President Duterte’s approval, Senate Bill 1304 now has a proposed P15 Billion funding. The fund will solely be used in subsidizing SUC Tuition.
Reproductive Health Responsible Parenthood Act Of 2012
Reproductive Health refers to the rights of individuals and couples to decide freely and responsibly, whether or not to have children. Responsible Parenthood refers to the will and ability of a parent to respond to the needs and aspirations of family and children.
The RH Law was enacted in December 2012, and was opposed by Pro-life groups, and after a 14-year battle in Congress RH Law is now signed. President Duterte issued Executive Order 12 which implements Republic Act 1035 or the PPR Health Act of 2012.
RH Law is not just about promoting the use of condom or pills, but it is intended to help the poor, especially to address the issue of family-planning.
Anti-Drug War Campaign
Since Duterte took on the office, the war-on-drug campaign as of July 11, 2017, a total number of 3,796 drug-related fatalities has been reported under the Duterte Administration. President Rodrigo Duterte has repeatedly said that drugs are the root of society's many ills. He also seems to see drugs everywhere and in almost anything, even in the ongoing conflict in Marawi.
The fact that crime rate is down by at least 40 percent should be reassuring enough that the Philippines today is becoming safer and safer to visit.
Despite of many criticism on his idea, Duterte remained firm to achieve his goal of ending the drug problem in the Philippines. And unexpectedly the outcome of his campaign resulted in millions of people, mostly users and pusher to surrender to authority.
Duterte Signs Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement on Climate Change is the first-ever legally-binding global agreement on climate change signed by almost countries.
Despite the fact that Duterte was hesitant before to sign the agreement because of its possibility to limit the country’s industrialization, he eventually changed his mind. And on Febraury 28, Duterte and Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea singed the "Instrument of Accession".
The agreement aims to transform the world's fossil-fuel-driven economy within decades and slow the pace of a global temperature increase to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius.
Anti-Distracted Driving Act
On June 30 2016, Former President Benigno Aquino left and did not sign the said bill as he stepped down from the presidency. Duterte signed the bill and made it a law because of his enough basis from the Department of Transporttion that texting while driving causes consistent accidents nationwide.
Republic Act 10913 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act penalizes motorists who engage in distracted driving while driving or while stopped by a red traffic light on the road(CNN/Philippines). Under this law, anyone who will be caught by Hpg, or other authority relevant to this will face a fine of P5,000 for the first offense, P10,000 for the second offense, P15,000 and a three-month suspension of driver’s license for the third offense, and a fine of P20,000 and revocation of driver’s license for succeeding offenses.(CNN/Philippines)
Dutertenomics
One of the ongoing accomplishments of President Duterte is the BBB (BUILD. BUILD. BUILD.) Program, which has allocated P1.097 billion that will be used for construction of railways, roads and airports and other infrastructures.
The BBB Program have the higher allocated budget compare to the other projects like free education to State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) which has 0 budget allocation.
Reduction Of Red Tape
During the administration of former President Aquino, fixers in various government offices were prevalent. We all know that before getting a valid I.D or document, we will undergo a very long process to assess it except for those who pay a big amount to fix their document and after 2 or 3 days,they already have it.
What Duterte did is he started reducing those fixers or red tapes to be exact followed by reducing the time allotted to get those documents which lessen the headaches of people.
Validity Of Driver’s License From 3 Years To 5 Years
Duterte made it happen, the validity of driver’s license was extended up to five years, moreover 10 years if the card holder doesn’t commit any violations while with the past administration it was just 3 years maximum.
This is a big help to our public utility vehicle drivers. This will lessen their expenses every three years. It will also be a good news to LTO because they will not assess same people every three years as the application for driver’s license increases yearly.
Towing Of Illegally Parked Cars
Traffic is the most annoying issue each and every one of us is facing. Nationwide. The alternative move of PUVs is to enter the streets of subdivisions and villages to avoid traffic but still, they got stuck because of illegally parked cars along the way.
Duterte initiate to tow those parked cars to somehow give way to motorists.
Passport Validity up to 10 Years
House Bill 4767 which seeks to extend the validity of passports from 5 years to 10 years was approved under Dutertes administration and to amend Republic Act 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996, which states that a passport shall only be valid for a period of five years regardless of the age of the applicant.
This will be a big help to our citizens who wants to go inside and outside the country always.They don’t need to renew their passport every five years and it will lessen their expenses.
Yolanda Rehabilitation
“Dapat 'yang Yolanda, one year after, tapos na 'yan lahat (Yolanda [recovery efforts] need to be finished in one year).” This statement was released last June by President Duterte (rappler.com) promising and ordering both citizens and authorities to have a fast recovery for Yolanda.
Duterte pointed out that Aquino should have done something during his administration to ensure the money for the recovery of Yolanda victims and casualties.. He gave his economic team a task and order to act quickly as fast as they can for this project. As Aquino left the issue itself, Duterte started to move in every way he knows just to fasten the recovery of Yolanda Typhoon affected people.
State of the Nation Address 2017
President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his State of the Nation address last July 23, his second in his six-year term. State of the Nation Address is a speech delivered by the President to tackle the economical, social, and political status of the country. SONA also summarizes the accomplishments and to present the future plans of the current administration.
Here are some important highlights of SONA 2017:
The K to 12 Program
One of the challenges arise in the Philippines is to meet requirements to match the global competitiveness and learning among students. To attain this, a great demand of quality education and new landscape of curriculum is necessary.
In the first year of President Duterte, K to 12 program was implemented. Shifting from the outmoded 10-year basic education to new k-12 system, the Philippines have followed the world’s standard system of education.
Establishing a New Department
As the Philippines becoming the pathway of strong typhoons, President Duterte called on the House of Representatives to make a law establishing a new department focused on empowering the quick disaster response.
The new department would be a huge help to the victims of typhoon and other calamities.
Land Use Act
Within the first few minutes of President Duterte mentioning his SONA, he eyed the importance of proper way of using land. He mentioned Land Use Act or NALUA, which ensures the sustainable use of land by planning critically the land use.
Eqquiped with this, there will be a smart consistent allocation of natural resources respective with the principle of sustainable development.
Irresponsible Mining No More
Responsible, regulated, and sustainable environment is the priority of President Duterte based on his SONA. The President promised that all mining operators and contractors that causing the destruction of natural resources will be abolish. He also implied the non-negotiable policy to protect and preserve the environment.
Improve Sea Connectivity and Land Transportation
Fueled by 15 brand new Ro-Ro vessels, sea connectivity in the Philippines was improved. Ro-Ro vessels were launched to traverse major routes in the country. In addition, the ASEA Ro-Ro Shipping Route was also opened, connecting the Ports of General Santos and Davao, and the Philippines to Indonesia.
In Land Transportation, President Duterte directed MMDA and local government units in Metro Manila and Cebu to ensure the free flow of traffic, and remove the roads unnecessary obstructions.
No Balance Billing Policy
Health sector is one of the important things for President Duterte. He said in his SONA that Filipinos must given equitable access to quality and affordable health services. In this policy, no other fees shall be charged or be paid for by the indigent patients above and beyond the packaged rates during their confinement period. Duterte also promised the expand health insurance coverage.
