DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Nov. 19 (PIA) -- Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Sec. Martin Andanar emphasized that the landmark achievements of the government under the current administration would set a benchmark for Filipinos in choosing their next leader in the upcoming elections.

Andanar cited this in an interview over Radyo Bandera Sweet FM Dumaguete on Nov. 16 where he discussed the Duterte Legacy Campaign.

“It is important for us to inform the people so that our voters will be more informed so when they choose the next president sa next election, naa na silay benchmark. Kini na kandidato kaya ba ipadayon ang gibuhat ni (Presidente) Digong? Kanang mga pangutana matubag nila because naa sila benchmark sa kaning ginabuhat sa administrasyon (It is important for us to inform the people so that our voters will be more informed for them to have a benchmark when they vote for the next president in the next election. Can this candidate sustain the accomplishments of President Duterte? They will know how to answer the question because they are aware of the significant achievements of this administration),” Andanar said.

Some of the major accomplishments of the government he mentioned include the passage of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the creation of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) which contributed to the improvement of the country’s peace and order situation.

Aside from this, the government also intensified the fight against corruption by institutionalizing the Freedom of Information (FOI) in the Executive Department which has been a tool for transparency in the government.

The current administration also created the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) and has taken initiatives to promote Ease of Doing Business in the country.

Andanar also reported that streets are now safer as the government reduced the crime volume in the country by 64%.

The government, under the current administration, was also able to bring down poverty level from 24% in 2016 to 13% during the pre-pandemic period.

Andanar said these accomplishments are proof that the country’s top chief executive was able to fulfill his promise to the people back in 2016, which was to improve the peace and order situation in the country, alleviate poverty, and eradicate corruption in government.

Apart from these, there are also landmark policies which were implemented by the government aimed at making life more comfortable for Filipinos.

These include the passage of the Universal Health Care Law which led to the enrollment of 110 million Filipinos in the state-run health insurance corporation PhilHealth, implementation of the Free Tertiary Education Law that benefited students in State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) who are now exempt from paying tuition fees, and the approval of the expanded Maternity Leave benefit which increased the number of maternity leave days from 60 to 105.

Malasakit Centers have also been established in more than 140 government hospitals which helped patients by providing financial assistance for their medical expenses.

The government also decided to extend the validity of passports to 10 years and driver’s license for five years.

“We can really say daghan nabuhat si Presidente sa ato nasod (We can really say that the President has done a lot for this country),” Andanar said.

The PCOO chief said it is important to report these accomplishments to the public because it is the duty of the government to inform the people on its achievements over the past five years and five months in the spirit of public trust. (RAL/PIA7 Negros Otriental)