LEGAZPI CITY (PIA) – The positive changes in the country today have been accomplished due to the strong political will of President Rodrigo Duterte, Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Friday.

Andanar cited massive infrastructure, agrarian and tax reforms, substantial poverty reduction, free tertiary education, relentless fight against corruption as the main legacies of the President’s administration.

In an interview  on Idol FM Legazpi, Andanar said the key achievements of the administration during the past five years included the 29, 264 km roads constructed, maintained and improved; 214 airport and 451 seaport projects completed; some 229,000 hectares distributed to farmers with Certificate of Land Ownerships Awards and accompanying irrigation projects; free tertiary education for 1.6 million students, fight against corruption, significant cut in poverty rating, new policies and tax reform laws.

Andanar made the observations as he made a pitch for the “Duterte Legacy,” the information drive of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on the impact of the Duterte administration’s programs.

“This (information drive) is important because we need to set the benchmark for public service,” he said.  “Kapag alam ng mamamayan na ito yung legasiya ni Pangulong Duterte sigurado ako na ang ating mga kababayan ay sisiguraduhin na ang susunod na presidente na pipiliin nila ay isang presidente na tatapatan o hihigitan ang ginawa ni Presidente Duterte.”

In Bicol, aside from infrastructure and human asset development, Andanar cited the Bicol International Airport as one of the highlights of the accomplishments of the administration. After more than a decade of implementation, the airport is due for completion on September 2021.

Andanar said the road maintenance and improvement of the national highways from the National Capital Region to Bicol to provide continuous access to motorists, cargoes, and delivery of basic services are set to be completed during the President’s term.

He also enumerated the PCOO’s significant contributions on the Duterte's legacy projects such as the Dismiss Disinformation Campaign, participation in the policy-making, the institutionalization of the Freedom of Information Act, creation of the Presidential Task Force on Media Security, the Media Workers Welfare Bill which is now in the hands of the Senate.

The institutionalization of the first government communication hubs in Mindano and Visayas was also a key contribution of the PCOO to the Duterte legacy, he added.

The Philippine Broadcasting Corp. and the overall revamp of all government communication platforms are about to be implemented, he said..

On the country’s fight against COVID-19 pandemic, Andanar said the government will be relentless and will continue to provide for and cater to the needs of all Filipinos to enable them to cope with its impacts and challenges. 

“In these trying times, we need to set aside political colors and rather act as one—guided by the Bayanihan to Heal as One—in facing the challenges and in giving solutions to the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic. Let every Filipino support the directions and plans laid by the President in the remaining 11 months of his term,” he said.

To some detractors, the PCOO chief said that it is impossible to tag the Duterte Legacy as fake news because it can be proven and verified by agencies concerned.

“May mga kritiko na sadyang ayaw tumingin sa mga pagbabago na nangyayari sa ating bansa, na kahit na nandyan sa harapan ay bulag-bulagan pa rin. Talagang ang nagtutulog-tulugan ay mahirap gisingin,” Andanar concluded. (PIA)