After
the 2010 Philippine presidential elections, Noynoy Aquino made a social
contract with the populace. He promised several reforms in areas such as
leadership, economy, peace and order, gender equality, environment and
government service. With the Aquino administration now at the halfway point of
its term, we can evaluate whether or not the President has kept his word.
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Topic
in Social Contract
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Promise
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What
has been done
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Transformational
Leadership
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The
President promised that the administration would transform leadership in the
Philippines, specifically with regard to the problem of corruption. He has
been promoting his leadership as one that is for the tuwid na daan(straight
path). He also put emphasis on the failing education system and exclusive
health care benefits.
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The
President has been very aggressive in combating corruption. High profile
cases such as the one against former Chief Justice Corona is an example. The
administration has been diligently pursuing a solution to education, namely
the K-12. There were gains from the health care system but there is still
much to be done. The Phil Health Kalusugang Pangkalahatan (Universal
Health Care) program, contrary to its title, is still not available to
everyone; critical health services remain unavailable to many.
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Economy
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The
administration promised stronger public-private partnerships, more
opportunities that cater to the marginalized and better treatment as regards
the recognition of farms and rural enterprises. It also promised the
betterment of local working conditions so as to dissuade the local workforce
from going abroad.
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The
administration has cultivated a more welcoming image to investors, allowing
the Philippines to reach investment grade status for two rating agencies.
However, the government’s actions in places such as Casiguran, where the
marginalized are displaced, means that some promises were not kept.
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Government
service
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The
administration promised that the appointment of government positions would be
judged mainly on politicians’ performance and integrity in serving the
people.
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The
President has been maintaining this process, appointing judicial members such
as current Chief Justice Sereno and removing any midnight appointments made
by the previous administration.
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Gender
equality
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The
President promised the increased promotion of equal gender opportunities in
all policies and programs.
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Along
with supporting laws such as the Magna Carta for Women, the administration
has implemented several new policies such as Memorandum Circular No. 48,
which directs government agencies to adopt gender equality guidelines. The
World Bank has also recognized the country as “a world leader in gender
equality.”
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Peace
and order
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The
government promised to actively pursue a peace agreement with the Muslims of
Mindanao.
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As
of July 7, 2013,the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front are
still at a deadlock, inhibiting any potential peace talks.
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Environment
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The
government promised greater impetus for the advancement of sustainable
environment management and urban planning.
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While
there has been greater recognition of environmental causes, it remains to be
seen whether or not the government is practicing sustainable environmental
management. Several issues such as the Tubbataha Reef incident, where a
United States ship crashed into the protected reef, have yet to be resolved,
meaning there is still much that can be done.
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MANILA,
Philippines - With the continued robust and sustained growth of the Philippine
economy, President Benigno Aquino III vows to work harder to make government an
effective servant of the people through good governance and reforms that will
rid graft and corruption in government.
President Aquino
vowed to continue to find ways to improve the government's service to the
country and to all Filipinos.
"Patuloy po nating lilinisin ang
ating pamahalaan upang epektibong makapaglingkod sa ating mamamayan. Walang
alinlangan nating inaalis ang mga agiw at dumi sa sistema. Kaakibat ng
pagpapanagot natin sa mga tiwali, pinabibilis din natin ang pagpapabuti sa kapakanan
ng mas nakakarami," he said.
"Ang gusto po natin -- ang
inyong sipag at sakripisyo ay may katumbas na pag-asenso. Bawat patak ng pawis
sa maghapong paghahanap-buhay sa katirikan ng araw; bawat metrong tinatahak
upang matiyak ang kalinisan sa kapaligiran; bawa't puso na ‘di alintana ang
peligro sa kalsada; ay may katumbas na kapanatagan ng
loob na mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang inyong pamilya," he added
Sources:
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