Lesson Proper: Lesson 2 – The Philippines under Aquino Administration

The Presidency of Benigno S. Aquino III began at noon on June 30, 2010, when he
became the fifteenth President of the Philippines, succeeding Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was
the son of Corazon Aquino, who served as president of the Philippines (1986–92), and political
leader Benigno Simeon Aquino, Jr.

Aquino’s Profile

Full Name: Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III

Nickname: Noynoy Aquino, PNoy
Birthday: February 8, 1960
Nationality: Filipino
Age: 61 years old
Born in: Manila, Philippines
Height: 5’9” (175 cm)
Famous as: 15th Presidennt of the Philippines
Family: Benigno Aquino Jr. (Father)
Corazon Aquino (Mother)
Aurora Corazon Aquino-Abellada (Sibling)
Kris Aquino (Sibling)
Maria Elena Aquino-Cruz (Sibling)
 In the past three years, the Philippines has undergone a radical
transformation: From a having a government that institutionalized corrupt
practices, to one that provides public service founded on the principles of
transparency, accountability, and integrity; from being home to a citizenry
clamoring for change, to nurturing a nation empowered and actively working
together for greater opportunities for inclusive growth.
The bedrock of thus transformation likewise remains as the driving philosophy behind the
Aquino administration’s reform agenda: If we can rid the country of the culture of corruption,
then we can alleviate poverty and collectively move forward an equitably progressive
Philippines.

To sustain the country’s momentum, the Aquino administration has been continuously
improving upon the good governance reforms it has established, which includes strengthening
the mechanisms necessary for the swift and efficient delivery of services to Filipinos. The
government has reformed its procurement and budgeting processes to promote efficiency and
reduce opportunities for corruption, preventing the waste of billions of pesos in taxpayers’
money. This, in turn, has allowed the national government to channel funds to the most
immediate needs of the public-into programs that include massive investments in social services,
health, and education, in order to enhance and empower our human capital, which then
encourages expansive, equitable growth.

The reforms are already bearing fruit. In 2012, the Philippines recorded one of its
strongest years for growth, surpassing all expectations; the first quarter GDP of 2013, recorded at
7.8%, further raised the bar among the community of nations and exceeding even our growth
trend. Lead credit ratings agencies have placed the Philippines at the investment grade level,
even as they predict continued favorable economic prospects for our future. And these gains of
good governance are being translated into the improvement of the quality of the life of all
Filipinos, particularly the poor and the vulnerable. Social services continue to receive the highest
share of the national budget, with social intervention and protection programs at the core of our
poverty reduction thrust.

All these changes we have established in the past three years, and all that we have
achieved from them, make up the mere foundation. The gains of good governance and sustained
investment in the welfare of our citizens will build on the Philippines’ momentum, to beyond the
end of President Aquino’s term come 2016.

Aquino’s Administration Promises

Besides fighting poverty and corruption, he has also several promises as mentioned
below:

 To fight against corruption and poverty.

 To transform the government of the country.
 To lift the nation from poverty through honest
and effective governance.
 To make the country attractive to investors
through economic reforms.
 To cut the red tape dramatically and implement
stable economic policies.

Contribution of under Aquino administration

The administration of Benigno Semion Aquino III amidst criticism, he is proud to boast
his successful project. Let us see the top controversial achievement of the Aquino administration.

1. Public-Private Partnership

We always hear the PNoy signed a PPP (Public-Private projects), then another, and another. But
what’s new? Well just so you know, PNoy’s administration is the most successful in improving
PPP deals. In 2010, he approved 10 PPP project, compared to Estrada who once had the greatest
number of projects.

Examples:
  NAIA Expressway Project
 Cavite-Laguna Expressway
 Daang hari-SLEX Road Project

2. Daang Matuwid

Perhaps one of the controversial

advocacies of PNoy is the journey of the
government – zero corruption.
Remember the dramatic impeachment of
Renato Corona and the arrest of the
former President Gloria arroyo?

3.Going Green

The National Greening Program aims to plant 1.5 million hectares nationwide and has been
extended for another 12 years with the goal of reforesting the remaining 7.1 million hectares
of denuded forestlands in the country.
 4. K-12

PNoy decided to get closer to the global standards of education. That’s why he approved the
new education curriculum that will hopefully improve our system.

ACTIVITY 1. Simple Recall Test

Direction: Choose the letter of the correct answer.

1. Who is the fifteenth president of the Philippines?

a. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
b. Benigno Simeon Aquino III
c. Corazon Aquino

2. The following are the Aquino’s administration promises EXCEPT

a. To fight corruption and poverty
b. To make the country attractive to investors through economic reform
c. To put down the nation from poverty

3. What is the acronym of PPP?

a. Public- Private
Partnership
b. Public-Private
Project
c. Philippine Project
Partnership
4. When did Benigno Simeon Aquino III became president?
a. June 30, 2010
b. June 30, 2011
c. June 30, 2012

5. When was the public-private partnership project approved?

a. 2010
b. 2011
c. 2012

What Will You Do?

ACTIVITY II. Answer the following questions briefly.

1. Give at least one contribution made by Aquino's administration and why it is

significant.

2. If you were given the chance to be President of the Philippines, what promises would
you make?
 What’s More

ACTIVITY III. LOOP ME OVER

Direction: Try to find the words in the boxes written either horizontally, vertically and
diagonally by putting them in the loop. One is given as your sample guide.

President Aquino poverty

Serve leader Country

P R E S I D E N T A B K O Z P
G E G F D R A F U U Y U J G R
K S A Q U I N O Y G U K W S O
S O V D H K V F K F J G G H J
C R S G D J L C T E Y N A D E
S S K K P B O H O A G K W H C
J E E C O T H J U U F J R E T
I V A R W Q P U T D N G J D K
Y F G G V Z O K N H K T H E N
C U E O S E V L Y N Y F R J O
Z O J G L E R C E K J S R Y T
V Y M T Y D T V D M T A R K H
T M N U I A Y H S F H N H R E
 I S L N Y E D I D Y T T Y D F
L V O R J L L O D F G T J U M

References:
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/aquino-administration/

http://www.juan-republic.com/top-10-achievements-failures-pnoy-administration/3/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.manilatimes.net/2016/02/07/supplements/the-achievements-
of-president-benigno-aquino-3rd/243587/amp/

https://www.rappler.com/environment/national-greening-program-expanded-2028