How Duterte Transformed the Philippines in 6 Years: Key Achievements You Need to Know!
- CHLP REALTY
- Mar 14
- 11 min read
Updated: Mar 24
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who served from 2016 to 2022, implemented several initiatives that continue to benefit Filipinos today.
Infrastructure Development:
Build, Build, Build Program
The "Build, Build, Build" program aimed to usher in a "Golden Age of Infrastructure" by increasing public infrastructure spending from 5.4% of GDP in 2017 to 7.4% by 2022.
Major projects included:
* Subic-Clark Railway,
* North-South Commuter Railway,
* Metro Manila Subway,
* Clark International Airport expansion,
* Mindanao Railway, and the
* Luzon Spine Expressway Network
By April 2022, 12 flagship projects were completed, with 88 in advanced stages.
Overall, from June 2016 to July 2021, the program saw the completion of
* 29,264 kilometers of roads,
* 5,950 bridges,
* 11,340 flood control projects,
* 222 evacuation centers, and
* 150,149 classrooms
Transportation Reforms
To modernize public transport, Duterte's administration launched a program in June 2017 that phased out older jeepneys and public utility vehicles (PUVs), requiring new ones to have at least Euro4-compliant or electric engines.
The program also encouraged PUV operators to consolidate into legal groups of at least 15 units.
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Passport and Driver's License Validity Extension
In 2017, Duterte signed laws extending the validity of Philippine passports from five to ten years and driver's licenses from three to five years, reducing the frequency of renewals and associated costs for Filipinos.
Duterte signs law extending validity of driver's license to 5 years
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By 2022, under the Build, Build, Build program,
* 40,080 kilometers of roads and
* 6,854 bridges had been constructed, maintained, or upgraded;
* 579 commercial and social tourism ports had been developed; and
* 248 airport projects were completed.
Infrastructure Projects:
As part of his effort to address air traffic congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City, President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday inaugurated the Sangley Airport Development Project (SADP) in Cavite City.
Airport Rehabilitation
Several airports were upgraded to enhance travel experiences:
Clark International Airport:
A new passenger terminal was constructed, increasing capacity and serving as an alternative to Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Mactan-Cebu International Airport:
A new terminal was inaugurated, boosting passenger capacity and improving facilities.
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Public Health Initiatives
Duterte signed the Universal Health Care Act, automatically enrolling all Filipinos in the government's health insurance program.
He also signed the Philippine Mental Health Law and established Malasakit Centers in public hospitals to streamline medical and financial assistance.
The administration enforced the Reproductive Health Law, banned smoking in public places nationwide, and set price caps on select medicines.
Peace and Order
The administration focused on enhancing national security:
Anti-Drug Campaign:
A controversial war on drugs was launched, aiming to reduce drug-related crimes.
Anti-Crime Measures:
Increased police visibility and the establishment of hotlines for reporting crimes contributed to a sense of security among citizens.
Economic Measures
Efforts were made to stabilize prices and create jobs:
Price of Commodities:
The administration worked to stabilize rice prices by restructuring the National Food Authority and liberalizing rice importation.
Job Creation:
The Build! Build! Build! program generated employment opportunities across various sectors, including construction and related industries.
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Under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration (2016–2022), significant efforts were made to enhance the Philippines' flood mitigation infrastructure, aiming to protect communities from the adverse effects of flooding.
Key initiatives included:
1. Metro Manila Flood Management Project, Phase I
This project focused on improving flood management in the Greater Metro Manila Area by constructing new pumping stations and modernizing existing ones. It also involved clearing waterways to enhance drainage capacity. The project was part of a broader strategy to address the region's vulnerability to severe flooding.
2. Pasig-Marikina River Channel Improvement Project, Phases IV and V
These phases aimed to enhance the flood-carrying capacity of the Pasig-Marikina River, which traverses Metro Manila. Improvements included riverbank protection, dredging, and the construction of floodwalls to safeguard adjacent communities from frequent flooding.
3. Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures in the Low-Lying Areas of Pampanga Bay Project, Stage II
This initiative targeted flood-prone areas around Pampanga Bay by implementing infrastructure improvements and community-based disaster risk reduction strategies. The goal was to bolster resilience against flooding and other climate-related hazards.
4. Ambal-Simuay River and Rio Grande de Mindanao River Flood Control and Riverbank Protection Project
Located in Mindanao, this project focused on mitigating flood risks along the Ambal-Simuay and Rio Grande de Mindanao rivers. It involved constructing flood control structures and reinforcing riverbanks to protect surrounding communities and agricultural lands.
5. Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project
This project aimed to reduce flood risks in the Cavite Industrial Area by improving drainage systems and constructing flood barriers. The initiative sought to protect industrial zones and nearby residential areas from frequent flooding.
6. Sumag River Diversion Project
The Sumag River Diversion Project was an expansion of the Umiray-Angat Transbasin Project, designed to divert water from the Sumag River to the Angat Dam reservoir. The 600-meter-long tunnel aimed to augment water supply and reduce flood risks in the surrounding regions. After initial delays, construction resumed in 2019 under President Duterte's directive, with significant progress made by March 2021.
7. Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike
This proposed 47-kilometer, six-lane expressway-dike was designed to run along the western shore of Laguna de Bay, from Taguig in Metro Manila to Los Baños in Laguna.
The project aimed to provide a high-standard highway to improve traffic flow between southern Metro Manila and Laguna while serving as a dike to mitigate flooding in the western coastal communities along Laguna Lake.
These initiatives collectively aimed to bolster the Philippines' resilience against flooding, safeguard communities, and protect vital infrastructure from the adverse impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
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Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's administration implemented several economic and taxation reforms that have benefited ordinary Filipinos.
Key initiatives include:
1. Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law
Enacted in December 2017, the TRAIN Law aimed to create a simpler, fairer, and more efficient tax system.
Key provisions included:
🍀Lower Personal Income Tax:
Individuals earning an annual taxable income of ₱250,000 or less became exempt from income tax, reducing the tax burden for many low- and middle-income earners.
🍀Simplified Estate and Donor's Taxes:
Both estate and donor's taxes were reduced to a flat rate of 6%, simplifying the tax system and encouraging property transfers.
2. Infrastructure Development: Build, Build, Build Program
The administration's aggressive infrastructure initiative aimed to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.
Projects included roads, bridges, airports, and seaports, improving connectivity and providing employment opportunities across the country.
3. Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act
Signed into law in 2017, this act provided free tuition and other school fees in state universities and colleges, local universities and colleges, and state-run technical-vocational institutions, making higher education more accessible to Filipinos.
4. Ease of Doing Business Act
Enacted in 2018, this law aimed to streamline procedures in government agencies, reducing processing times for permits and licenses. This benefited small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and encouraged entrepreneurship, leading to job creation.
5. Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) Institutionalization
The administration institutionalized the 4Ps, a conditional cash transfer program providing financial assistance to the poorest households, ensuring its continuity and support for impoverished families.
These reforms collectively aimed to improve the economic well-being of ordinary Filipinos by reducing tax burdens, enhancing infrastructure, increasing access to education, simplifying business processes, and providing direct financial assistance to those in need.
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Former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration implemented additional initiatives that benefited ordinary Filipinos:
1. Land Reform
The administration accelerated land distribution to farmers, enhancing agricultural productivity and providing land ownership to agrarian communities.
By August 2021, the Department of Agrarian Reform had distributed 516,000 hectares of land to 405,800 farmers.
2. Poverty Alleviation
Efforts to reduce poverty included adopting "Ambisyon Natin 2040," a 25-year development plan aiming to transform the Philippines into a predominantly middle-class society by 2040.
In April 2019, the administration enacted the Magna Carta of the Poor, aiming to improve the quality of life for impoverished Filipinos.
3. Family Planning and Child Welfare
The administration fully implemented the 2012 Reproductive Health Law, providing modern family planning services to improve maternal health and manage population growth.
Laws were also enacted to protect minors from abuse and exploitation, including raising the age of sexual consent from 12 to 16.
4. Malasakit Centers
Established as one-stop shops for medical and financial assistance, Malasakit Centers streamlined access to healthcare services for indigent Filipinos by consolidating assistance from various government agencies.
As of April 2024, there were 163 Malasakit Centers across the country.
These initiatives, alongside previously mentioned programs, contributed to improving the quality of life for ordinary Filipinos during Duterte's presidency.
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Under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration, significant measures were implemented to enhance the compensation and benefits of government employees, positively impacting their financial well-being.
1. Salary Standardization Law of 2019 (Republic Act No. 11466)
Enacted on January 8, 2020, this law mandated a series of salary increases for government personnel, structured over four tranches from 2020 to 2023.
The adjustments aimed to make public sector compensation more competitive with the private sector.
The Official Gazette provides the complete text of the law.
Who is Covered?
All civilian government employees in the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, including constitutional offices, government-owned or controlled corporations (GOCCs), and local government units (LGUs).
This includes regular, contractual, casual, appointive, or elective personnel, whether full-time or part-time.
Who is Not Covered?
Military and uniformed personnel.
GOCCs are covered by Republic Act No. 10149.
Individuals working under job orders or service contracts without an employer-employee relationship.
2. Specific Salary Adjustments
The salary increases varied across different salary grades:
Salary Grades 1 to 10:
Employees in these grades saw a total increase ranging from 17.5% to 20.5% over the four-year period.
For instance, an employee at Salary Grade 1 received an increase from ₱11,068 in 2019 to ₱12,517 by 2023.
Salary Grades 11 to 13:
These mid-level positions experienced a 24.1% to 30.7% increase.
For example, a Salary Grade 11 employee's salary rose from ₱20,754 in 2019 to ₱25,439 in 2023.
Salary Grades 14 to 33:
Higher-level positions received increases ranging from 8% to 30.7%.
Notably, a Salary Grade 33 position, typically held by the President, saw an increase from ₱388,096 in 2019 to ₱431,718 by 2023.
3. Implementation Phases
The salary adjustments were implemented in four tranches:
First Tranche: January 1, 2020
Second Tranche: January 1, 2021
Third Tranche: January 1, 2022
Fourth Tranche: January 1, 2023
Each tranche progressively increased salaries according to the schedule outlined in the law.
4. Tax Implications
The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, implemented in 2018, restructured income tax rates, resulting in reduced tax burdens for many government employees.
For instance, individuals earning an annual salary up to ₱250,000 are exempt from income tax, while those earning between ₱250,000 and ₱400,000 are taxed at 15% on the excess over ₱250,000.
These reforms collectively enhanced the financial standing of government employees, aligning public sector compensation more closely with private sector standards and acknowledging the vital services rendered by public servants.
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Under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration (2016–2022), the private sector in the Philippines experienced notable changes in job salaries, influenced by various economic reforms and market dynamics.
Here's an overview of the key factors and trends:
1. Average Salaries in the Private Sector
As of 2023, the average monthly salary in the Philippines' private sector was approximately ₱18,423. However, salaries varied significantly across different industries and positions.
2. Industry-Specific Salary Variations
High-Paying Sectors:
Industries such as air transport, information technology, insurance, and healthcare offered higher average salaries.
For instance, IT professionals, particularly software developers, had an average monthly salary of ₱70,595.
Lower-Paying Sectors:
Conversely, sectors like agriculture, retail, and hospitality typically offered lower average salaries, often closer to the national minimum wage.
3. Impact of Economic Reforms
The administration's economic policies, including the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) law, aimed to stimulate economic growth and increase disposable income.
While these reforms primarily targeted tax structures, their indirect effects on private sector salaries were observed through increased consumer spending and business investments.
4. Regional Salary Disparities
Salaries in urban areas, particularly Metro Manila, were higher compared to rural regions.
This disparity was due to the concentration of businesses and higher living costs in urban centers.
5. Experience and Position Level
Experience and job level significantly influenced salary levels.
For example, private sector executives with over ten years of experience earned an average of ₱844,600 annually.
During President Duterte's tenure, private sector salaries in the Philippines were shaped by industry, experience, location, and the broader economic environment influenced by government reforms.
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