Name: Christine Queen P.

Andales BSA-3

Section & Subject: EEP 2 VW5

Duterte Administration

If I am to rate the Duterte Administration, I would give Eight as my rating.

Rodrigo Duterte was elected president, with a 39 percent of the vote in a five-way
race. Charismatic, blunt, and frequently profane, Duterte combined a Dirty Harry
persona with a track record as a successful mayor of Davao City, Mindanao’s largest
city. Although Pres. Duterte might appear to be unsophisticated and crude, he is
politically savvy and attuned to the attitudes and concerns of average Filipinos. The
Duterte government’s top priorities include combating illegal drugs and crime,
promoting rapid infrastructure development, sustaining economic growth and
making it more inclusive, enhancing peace and development in Mindanao, and
reorienting the Philippines’ foreign relations. To support these goals, the government
has significantly increased spending on infrastructure, raised the salaries of
government employees, expanded existing social development programs, revived
the stalled peace process with the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and the
Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), entered into negotiations with the communist
insurgents, and established a closer relationship with China.

Pres. Duterte’s two principal economic priorities have been to accelerate

economic growth and make it more inclusive, and to significantly increase spending
on much-needed infrastructure. Key features of the government’s approach to the
economy include running a larger deficit, adopting a more statist approach to
infrastructure development, and continuing increases in social spending. Two (2) of
the most significant accomplishments the current administration has are the Build
Build Build Program and his War against Drugs. Though many has criticized this War
against Drugs, many had also expressed their views that this WAD is a success, as
actress turned politician Lucy Torres-Gomez said that the “war on drugs” of
President Rodrigo Duterte was successful. She went on to say that if President
Duterte had not been our president at the time, we may have been in a narco-state
by now.
 As to the Build Build Build Program, it is the centerpiece program of the
Duterte administration that aims to usher the “Golden age of infrastructure” in the
Philippines. Lack of infrastructure has long been cited as the “Achilles' heel” of
Philippine economic development, to which I strongly agree. And the effect of this
BBB has already taken its course, big ticket projects are now being constructed even
here in Butuan City. Pertaining to Mindanao the most significant accomplishment
was the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) in July 2018. The BOL
translates into law many of the provisions included in the 2014 peace agreement
between the Aquino government and the MILF. As president, he has dismissed—
though not necessarily punished—members of his administration suspected of
corruption. Little or no evidence has been presented that he has enriched himself,
even his family. As populist, Pres. Duterte has increased spending for social
programs and some of the government’s policies, such as higher salaries for
government employees, free irrigation, and tertiary public education.

To sum up, here are the Real Changes that the current administration had
accomplished in several areas: First is the drug war and the professionalism of the
PNP. Second is a portion of the government’s economic policies, particularly the
increase in spending on infrastructure and a few populists social programs. Third is
possibility of constitutional changes, up to and including federalism, would be highly
significant for the Philippines. Fourth is the important elements of continuity in most
macroeconomic policies and public financial management. Fifth is government also
has continued to expand (with some tweaks or rebranding) most pre-existing social
development programs. Sixth, the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law was the
culmination of a decades-long process. Seventh are the Philippine Identification
System (PhilSys) or national ID program, the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL), and the
Ease of Doing Business Law. These programmes are three strong economic
management. Finally, is the successful management of the government in combating
the pandemic brought about by Covid19 Virus.

In conclusion, there are no perfect presidents as there is no perfect human

beings. The current administrations have flaws and drawbacks but those did not
overwhelm the accomplishments and reforms this administration has introduced to
this country. What I like best of Pres. Duterte is his Political Will of Real Change.
Proof of this is the national ID program, first attempt was in 1973 and was finally
enacted 45 years later in August 2018. This program small it may seem has a very
significant impact on the lives of every Filipino as it provides all Filipinos with a
unique proof of identity to facilitate financial inclusion and the more efficient
provision of key services. Another is the RTL; it was only legislated in 2019 or 32
years later since it was first attempted in 1987. The reform helped lower rice prices
due to more open importation and increased farmer productivity due to the Rice
Competitiveness Enhancement Fund. Therefore, the rating of 8 for the Duterte
Administration is a fair rate.