JEROME A.

QUEJANO
BEED - IV

Achievements and Failures of the Aquino Administration

ACHIEVEMENTS
RA 10606 (An Act Amending the National Health Insurance Act of 1995), which mandates the provision of
comprehensive health care services to all Filipinos, through a socialized health insurance program that will
prioritize the health care needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, persons with disabilities, women and
children; free health care services are provided to indigents. PhilHealth now provides the poorest Filipino
households with full coverage of expenses for medical procedures such as maternity and newborn care
packages, as well as treatment for selected catastrophic diseases such as dengue, pneumonia, breast and
prostate cancer, and childhood acute leukemia.
Pros/Cons
It is really surprising to see this considering that it was not implemented after all these years
but finally it is here. But upon looking at various Facebook posts, the hospitals isnt ready to
accommodate such large volumes of people getting into the hospitals. Just like recently, a
video of pregnant women giving birth outside of the hospital which is quite disappointing to
see that despite the government wants to serve, they simply cant because of inability to
accommodate these people because they werent designed to do that in the first place.

EDUCATION
On May 15, 2013, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed the Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013,
institutionalizing the K to 12 Basic Education Program, which covers one year of kindergarten and 12 years of
basic education (six years of primary education, four years of junior high school, and two years of senior high
school). The expanded curriculum will provide sufficient time for the mastery of concepts and skills, thus
developing lifelong learners; the senior high school core curriculum, in particular, helps ensure the basic
education graduates readiness for tertiary education, as well as provides specialized training and preparation for
specific career options.
Opinion

For me, it is by far the greatest achievement of the government. Realizing the great potential
of the K-12 system and the need to be more up to date with the global village is a great
indicator that the government now values the education more than ever. It makes me jealous
that the current generation of students will be better than our generation but thats life. The
new generation always surpasses the old one and thats a quote from Naruto. Still we have
our pros and cons. While the government seeks to build a new improved system of learning,
the resources and abilities of the schools were not in line with each other as the schools
struggle to adapt to the vast changes that the K-12 introduces. The lack of facilities of
schools and the lack of the teachers themselves is one of the biggest problems that the
government is facing today. Hopefully, the next president focuses on this matters most
because as Rizal believed that education is the solution for our poverty. Also, the lack of
funding in the field of arts considering that we are a very rich culture particularly in arts but
sadly, the government cant focus on this one.

ECONOMIC GROWTH
The performance of the Philippine economy in 2012 and in the first quarter of 2013 indicates that it is moving
along a higher growth trajectory. From the 3.6 percent growth recorded in 2011, the Philippines GDP grew by 6.8
percent in 2012 and by 7.8 percent in the first quarter of 2013. The first quarter growth of 2013 is the highest
growth rate recorded under the Aquino administration, and is faster than that of Chinas, Indonesias, Thailands,
and Vietnams for the same period.
Remarkable growth was achieved alongside a slowdown in the increase in prices of basic commodities. The fullyear average inflation rate for 2012 was at 3.2%the lowest recorded inflation rate in five years and lower than
the average inflation rates in Indonesia, Singapore, India, and Vietnam. Average inflation for the first half of 2013
was at 2.9%, which is at the lower than the 3% to 5% target for 2012 to 2013.
Tourism is among the national governments priority sectorsand continuous promotional
efforts of the Department of Tourism, particularly the Its More Fun in the Philippines
campaign, ensure that local and global confidence in the tourism industry remains high. The
industry passed the four-million international tourist arrival mark for the first time, with 4.3
million visitors in 2012, 21.4% higher than the 3.5 million tourist arrivals in 2010. The DOT
targets to reach 5.5 million international tourist arrivals in 2013 and 10 million in 2016.
Domestic travelers, on the other hand, reached 37.5 million in 2011, surpassing the original
target of 29.1 million for the year and 35.5 million for 2016 prompting the DOT to raise the
2016 domestic tourism target to 56.1 million travelers.

FAILURES
NAIA
Dubbed as the 8th Worst Airport in Asia on 2015, the Ninoy Aquino International
Airport has inflicted disservice to its passengers. Still remember the tanim-bala scam? It
scared lots of passengers, but the government has failed to discover the culprit behind the
incident. Aside from that, passengers cry for the facility itself: brown-out, walang air-con,
traffic, and delayed flights. These things will really annoy anyone who expects to have a
meaningful and express travel.

Opinion:
While the boasting of the tourism program has materialized on its Its more fun in the
Philippines, that title quickly fades out upon arriving to the airport. It makes me mad
sometimes that the people in the position blames external forces when they can blame
themselves. They dont want to take the full responsibility of what is happening inside their
own house. The laglag bala was particularly the most popular. It is sickening that fellow
Filipinos do it.
Mar Roxas: Laglag-Bala Not a Government Problem But the Passengers
Responsibility. This is the headline of Philnews.com.ph on their website regarding this topic.
Inside these article you can also find this: Mar Roxas: Kung nagpasok ka ng contraband sa
airport, paano naging problema ng gobyerno yun? For me, having it there in the first place
is a big problem as it reflects low security of our very own airport. I remembered being
triggered by this statement which makes me think , Do they really want to serve this
country? Now that all the rant is done on this topic, we cannot totally blame them why this is
happening. Of course, there will be various variables that contribute to these actions which
are hard to trace and pick-up on this wild country but hopefully it will all end.

Typhoon Haiyan

Who would forget the typhoon of our time that killed thousands of Bisaya? Typhoon Haiyan caught the
attention of other countries because of the tragedies that happened during and after the calamity.
But the one million dollar question is: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE GOVERNMENT? People were angry because
the donations didnt reach the victims. The slow response of the government removed the hope of the people on
the government, especially when politics became the priority.

Opinion:
Former Interior Secretary Mar Roxas on Sunday claimed that 93 percent of Yolandarelated rehabilitation projects assigned to the Department of the Interior and Local
Government has already been completed.
Roxas noted that as of end-2015, more than P90 billion in funds has been released for
rehabilitation projects in areas affected by typhoon Yolanda. Of that P90 billion, P4 billion
was allocated to the DILG, he said.
Though this is a very bold claim of Mar Roxas that it was completed, the people there
doesnt go with his statement though. Upon looking on the status of the Tacloban when Mar
Roxas boasted this on the Presidential Debates, his stats doesnt add up to what is seen
there in Tacloban. In comparison with the Japans recovery, we are no match to them. What
they call slow recovery is what we call fast.

ASPIRATIONS OF THE DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION

Kill big-time drug lords and suppress drug trade

"[D]rugs, which is my main target, I hope to suppress them to the end."
Time period: 3 to 6 months
When he said it: Feb. 22, 2016, March 20, 2016, and April 24, 2016
Where he said it: Presidential debate venues in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Dagupan cities
ACTION PLAN:

Bring back death penalty for all drug users and traders, even if it's a member of his
own family

Go after drug lords through the military and police

Recruit militiamen who have completed basic ROTC and former soldiers who have
experience in gun handling and law enforcement for the fight against drugs

Provide P5 million bounty for every drug boss caught and smaller bounties for other
drug suppliers

Context: As of June 15, 2016, the Philippine National Police has arrested 17,680 persons
and killed 68 for illegal possession of drugs since the start of 2016, according to data from
the PNP Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management. Of this number, 3,760
were arrested and 29 were killed between May 10 to June 15 alone, one month after the
2016 elections.

Stop corruption in government

'Yung may mga (those who have) cases, alis na (leave), I do not care kung wala pang (if
theres no) judgment [yet]. 'Pag hindi (if not), I plan to invade Jolo, [the lair of the] Abu
Sayyaf. Prepare now for combat duty there, kayo ang uutusan ko (I will order that you serve
there). At kung kayo ang ma-hostage doon (And if you are taken hostage), say your our
fathers name because I will never, never pay to retrieve you.
Time period: 6 months
When he said it: Feb. 22, 2016, March 20, 2016, April 24, 2016 and May 18, 2016
Where he said it: Presidential debate venues in Cagayan de Oro, Cebu and Dagupan
cities, and press conference in Davao City
ACTION PLAN:

Force corrupt police and generals to resign or retire from servce

Impose 72-hour processing times for government certificates and clearances

Context: According to the 2015 corruption index of global watchdog Transparency

International, the Philippines is ranked 95 out of 168, with 1 being the least corrupt and 168
the most corrupt. The country scored 35 in the index, or more corrupt than its 2014 score of
38.

Decentralize power in the Philippines by pushing for a federal form of government,

particularly in Mindanao
"Let me focus on Mindanao and what is happening today. With the failure of BBL
(Bangsamoro Basic Law), there is a great, great hurt there. Unless, I said, we can come up
with another card which is federalism, nothing, nothing at all, can appease Mindanao. Yan
ang nangyayari diyan (That is what's happening there) and that is why it is very important na
kung ako ang mapupunta diyan (if I will go there), I would not only offer the BBLwhich is
the same configurationbut I will offer federalism to all, pati kay Nur Misuari on the western
side. That would maybe appease everybody because every Moro politico would really like to
see federalism kasi po palpak nga ang BBL (because BBL is a failure) and we have to do
this because, as I said, nothing, nothing short, will appease and bring peace to Mindanao.
Yan ang importante sa lahat diyan (That's the most important thing of all). You have to right
the historical wrong committed against the Moro people."
Time period: 2 years (to come up with detailed proposal)
When he said it: Feb. 23, 2016
Where he said it: First presidential debate in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
ACTION PLAN:

Create a commission to accept proposals on the switch to a federal form of

government

Give the new commission, composed of Moros, Christians and lumad as members,
two years to finish the proposal

Call for a constitutional convention and ask the Filipino people about the need for a
federal system of government

Context: Federalism, according to Merriam Webster dictionary, is the distribution of power in

an organization (as a government) between a central authority and the constituent units. An
example of a modern federalist country is the United States, which is run by both its national
government and independent federal governments per US state.

Roll out Davao City's law-and-order measures on the national level

"The police should not arrest minors. They do not have the discernment of what they are
doing out there ... Arrest the parents instead.
Time period: 3 to 6 months
When he said it: May 16, 2016
Where he said it: Press conference in Davao City
ACTION PLAN:

Implement 10 p.m. curfew for minors without parental supervision, and throw the
parents of caught children in jail for "abandonment"

Impose 2 a.m. curfew for drinking in public places

Implement smoking ban in enclosed public places

Ban late-night karaoke sessions

Context: Curfew for Minors (Davao City Ordinance No. 84): It shall be unlawful for any
child below sixteen (16) years of age to be loitering around after seven (7) o`clock in the
evening unless they are in company with their parents or guardians; and for any such child
to be sleeping in public places like the markets, wharves, empty bodegas or houses,
sidewalks

or

alleys,

showhouses,

etc.

Smoking Ban (Ordinance No. 0367-12): It shall be unlawful for any individual to smoke or
allow smoking of any tobacco product, or use Electronic Device Systems, Shisha and the
like, in all forms of Public Conveyances, Government-owned Vehicles, Accommodation and
Entertainment Establishments, Workplaces, Enclosed or Partially Enclosed Public Places,
Public Buildings, and Public Outdoor Spaces, except in duly designated smoking areas
within

the

territorial

jurisdiction

of

Davao

City.

"Liquor ban (Ordinance No. 004-13, amendment): All persons selling or serving liquor,
alcoholic beverages, coconut wine and other nature wines and the like that cause
intoxication are hereby prohibited to sell or serve beginning 1 oclock in the morning (1:00
a.m.) until 8 oclock in the morning (8:00 a.m.).

Improve internet connectivity and access

"You (telecommunication companies) improve the service or I will open [up] the
Philippines. All (foreign competitors) can come in ... I will make it a public policythe
Internet connectivity."
Time period: 6 years
When he said it: May 22, 2016
Where he said it: Press conference in Davao City
ACTION PLAN:

Compel telecommunication companies to improve their services, to better the

Philippine economy

Open up the Philippines to foreign telcos to drive competition

Context: According to the Q4 2015 State of the Internet report published by Akamai, the
Philippines has the second lowest average connection speed (3.2 Mbps) in the Asia Pacific
region. This, despite Filipinos ranking second highest on time spent on social media (4.3
hours daily).

Opinion:
Upon hearing his claims across multiple media sources, I was a bit skeptical because
it was very bold and to some may be impossible for the time frame he set for it. The drug
fights and the peace and order are the hot ones. He may be triggered by the media to say
those things because the media likes that in some point and also to have a news* to tell.
Recent news makes me believe him in some ways as drug lords and addicts surrenders left
and right. The presence of the policemen as improved in most towns and was really
surprised here in Candelaria that they suddenly pop out of nowhere. He manipulated the
peoples emotions. He used it to gain their trusts because the people are tired of this chapter
of the government where one will become president, promises left and right and yet nothing
happens afterwards. But in the case of Duterte, as slowly as it may seem, some of the things
he said is slowly materializing. He used the media to broadcast his personality throughout
the country and in some sense, gave him the presence he need so that people will fear him
if they ever so committed a crime. Maybe Im just too nave to see what is really happening
and what is his intentions but for now, I believe in him, and thats what people needs to do as
he said in his speech No leader, however strong, can succeed at anything of national

importance or significance unless he has the support and cooperation of the people he is
tasked to lead and sworn to serve and I think that one who has to change is not the leader
but the people. The people of complains a lot while doing nothing about it. The people who
fears not even the law and therefore lacks discipline. President Duterte made a clear
impression to the people that he will not hold back for those who defies the law and that
makes the people in some ways, a bit disciplined. Hopefully, his administration should
continue to make that presence stronger so that in later years, that thought he engraved in
us, the discipline he so proclaims, will help this country become better.