First of two parts
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s administration was marked by a strong drive for change and a series of notable accomplishments across various sectors of governance. While his critics and political detractors often downplay or dismiss these gains, it is undeniable that his leadership ushered in significant shifts aimed at fostering national development and progress. Despite the polarized opinions surrounding his presidency, Duterte has consistently enjoyed high trust and approval ratings from the Filipino public. A testament to the impact of his governance. A more objective assessment, grounded in tangible results and achievements, would suggest that his administration made substantial contributions to the country’s growth and transformation. These outcomes help explain the enduring support he continues to receive, even beyond his term in office.
Infrastructure
One of the most transformative areas of change under the Duterte administration was infrastructure development, which became a centerpiece of his governance agenda. Through the ambitious Build, Build, Build (BBB) program, President Duterte spearheaded what was widely regarded as the “Golden Age of Infrastructure” in the Philippines. This comprehensive initiative saw the construction of railways, subways, highways, roads, airports, seaports, bridges and even classrooms — projects designed not only to modernize the country’s physical landscape but also to catalyze long-term national development.
The BBB program embodied the administration’s firm resolve to close the long-standing infrastructure gap that had historically hindered the Philippines’ economic growth. For decades, the lack of quality infrastructure was considered the “chink in the armor” of the country’s development. A persistent weakness that constrained productivity and limited economic expansion. Duterte’s administration directly addressed this challenge by launching infrastructure initiatives that aimed to be both strategic and inclusive.
Infrastructure, as recognized by the Duterte administration, is more than physical structures. It is the foundation of a strong, competitive economy. The BBB program became a strategic tool to spur balanced development, reduce inequality and stimulate rural growth by expanding transport systems and public facilities beyond urban centers. President Duterte stressed that infrastructure development was key to inclusive progress, enabling mobility, access to services and economic participation. Ultimately, the success of the BBB program reflects the administration’s firm commitment to bridging geographic and economic divides, and improving the quality of life for all Filipinos.
1st 100 days
Moreover, if we recall, President Duterte’s first 100 days in office produced a handful of changes by responding to pressing issues and concerns in the country. Some of the most critical initiatives carried out in the first three months of his presidency included: 1) the elimination of the “tanim bala (planted bullets)” scam at airports; 2) the creation of a task force on media security; 3) the implementation of a nationwide ban on smoking in public places through an executive order; 4) the waiving of government fees and charges for first-time jobseekers; 5) cutting red tape in government; 9) the reduction of government spending by prohibiting the use of luxury cars and air travel by government officials; 6) the granting of students fare discounts for public transportation; and 7) the resolute and robust campaign against corrupt government departments like the Bureau of Internal Revenue, Bureau of Custom (BOC) and the Land Transportation Office.
Duterte, during his first 100 days in office, also did the following: a) issued Executive Order (EO) 2, also known as the freedom of information program, which requires the full disclosure of all public documents and any information requested by any Filipino from all government offices under the executive branch; b) the establishment of a “one-stop shop” for overseas Filipino workers; c) the streamlining of government transactions, especially the processing of permits and licenses to simplify government transactions to minimize if not eradicate opportunities for graft and corruption; d) the order for local government units (LGUs) to cut the time/period for new business registrations to two days instead of more than a week processing, and to automate the frontline services of LGUs and other transactions; e) the launch of 911 — the “emergency/rescue hotline” of the country, and also 8888, the “public complaint hotline”; and f) the creation of an office at the BOC centralizing customs collections.
The Duterte administration also made changes in the labor and social welfare sectors. These include: the institutionalization of feeding programs for public school students/pupils; free medicines and financial support to indigent patients; the passage of the anti-hospital deposit law; mandatory PhilHealth coverage for persons with disabilities; increased bed capacities in favor of government hospitals in far-flung areas; increased Social Security System pensions for senior citizens; the prohibition on illegal labor subcontracting resulting in the regularization of hundreds of thousands of workers; the passage of the Magna Carta of the Poor Law; the two-fold increase in the salaries of policemen, soldiers, jail officers, firemen and even teachers, while raising the wages of government employees through the continued and sustained implementation of EOs 76 and 201 (Modifying the Salary Schedule for Civilian Government Personnel and Authorizing the Grant of Additional Benefits for the Civilian, Military and Uniformed Personnel); and the passage of Republic Act (RA) 11148, or the Kalusugan at Nutrisyon ng Mag-Nanay Act (the First 1,000 Days Law) to scale up nutritional intervention programs in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
President Duterte and his administration will also not be forgotten for the passage of RA 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, a landmark law that allows deserving Filipinos to enroll in any state university or college all over the country free of charge. This law benefits millions of young Filipinos. Another landmark law is the Universal Health Care Law. From 2019 to 2021, more than 109 million Filipinos have been covered by universal health care in the country.
The Duterte administration is also credited for the passage of the Magna Carta of the Poor Law and the massive distribution of Certificate of Land Ownership Awards to thousands of agrarian reform beneficiaries. Around 229,289 hectares of land were distributed to beneficiaries from 2016 to 2021. The Duterte administration will also be known for the passage of the Free Irrigation Act, of which around 937,040 farmers benefited as of May 2021.
‘Housing king’
Furthermore, Duterte has earned recognition as the “housing king” among Philippine presidents since 1975, owing to his administration’s aggressive and unprecedented approach to public housing. According to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, over 1 million housing units were constructed during his term, a feat that stands out in the history of Philippine governance. From 2016 to 2021 alone, the administration built and financed 1.076 million housing units, with 98 percent classified as socialized housing and the remaining 2 percent allocated for low-cost buyers.
This commitment translates to an average of 195,687 low-cost housing units constructed annually, surpassing by 12 percent the previous administration’s 174,000-unit annual average. The Duterte government was also on pace to meet its ambitious goal of 1.2 million housing units by the end of his term in June 2022, a clear testament to its prioritization of housing as a cornerstone of inclusive development.
To be continued on April 5, 2025
Source: The Manila Times
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/03/29/opinion/columns/reflections-on-a-legacy-of-strong-leadership-and-change/2082207
