The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte did not leave anyone behind in its thrust for a more developed country and progressive economy, Presidential Spokesperson and Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Monday.

During the Duterte Legacy Summit at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, Andanar highlighted the Duterte government’s policies and flagship programs for the past six years that have uplifted people’s lives, particularly the marginalized ones.

Andanar said the administration has been relentless in providing “what the Filipino people deserve to have”.

Safe and comfortable lives for all would not be achievable without the President’s determination and courage to fulfill his promises, he added.

“Hindi magiging posible kung wala ang tunay na tapang at malasakit para sa bayan. Ito ang mga katangiang nagbuklod at naghikayat sa nagkakaisang Pilipino na may hangarin na mapa-unlad ang buong bansa, patunay ng (It won’t be possible without real courage and concern for the people. These are the qualities that unite and urged united Filipinos with aspirations for the development of the whole country, a proof of the) Duterte legacy. Duterte delivers,” Andanar said.

He said Duterte will step down with countless success stories of his landmark programs and achievements.

“This is our final report. This will leave a lasting and remarkable mark to the public on how the Duterte administration did its job in the name of public service,” he said.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea is optimistic that the next generations will still reap the benefits of the programs pushed by the Duterte administration.

“While this may be a closing chapter of a great moment for our nation, President Duterte’s legacy will not only be talked about in the years ahead but will also be felt by generations to come,” he said.

For the past six years, Medialdea said the administration has been promoting a “matatag, maginhawa at panatag na buhay” (stable, comfortable, and secured life) which envisioned a dignified and safe living condition for every Filipino.

“What is certain is the Duterte administration is leaving behind a far better Philippines than what was handed over to us six years ago,” he added.

Legacy

The Duterte Legacy Summit featured the six Cabinet clusters based on the government’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda – Security; Justice; Peace; Infrastructure Development; Economic Development; Climate Change Adaptation; Mitigation and Disaster Risk Reduction; Participatory Governance; Human Development; and Poverty Reduction. The push for Universal Health Care Law and Malasakit Center; Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education; Bangsamoro Organic Law; anti-illegal drugs campaign; migrant workers’ protection; and the “Balik Probinsya, Bagong Pag-Asa” program, were also realized under the Duterte administration.

The “Build, Build, Build” program, on the other hand, signified Duterte’s strong commitment to boosting the economy, creating more jobs, addressing the congestion in Metro Manila, and increasing road networks and infrastructure development.

Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Emil Sadain said the fundamental objective of the “Build, Build, Build” program is “to invest adequately in infrastructure to sustain and support the country’s growing economic activities represented by its Gross Domestic Products”.

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade highlighted Duterte’s eagerness to address the woes in the transportation sector while Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III reported “rapid, inclusive, and sustained economic growth”.

“With President Duterte’s bold leadership and strong political will, many socio-economic reform measures that languished for decades on the shelves of Congress were finally enacted into law,” Dominguez said.

Among the government’s accomplishments were participatory governance through the Department of Interior and the Local Government; Department of Social Welfare and Development improved poverty alleviation and social services; and the whole-of-nation approach and strategic responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. (PNA)