MPA 628 Local Government and Development Administration

Prof. Roberto M. Pagdanganan

MIDTERM EXAM

1. President Bongbong Marcos completed his first 100 days in office yesterday. How do
you assess his overall performance? What priority concerns should the President
address from today till the end of his term?
Answer: I think President Bongbong Marcos performed well during the first
100 days of his presidency although even his own Executive Secretary
mentioned in an interview that the President himself was ambivalent on
releasing a report for his 100 days since he wants to focus on solutions to
problems that are long-term and that was very reassuring. However, I also
think that there are current problems that our country faces like addressing
the COVID-19 pandemic and impacts of super typhoon that should be
focused on until the end his term considering the damages a super typhoon
brought to the country and that Philippines is one of the most typhoon
impacted countries globally.
2. Headlines:
October 6, 2022, “More rice imports seen.
October 7, 2022, “Marcos's wish: No more hungry Pinoys“
According to the USDA, the Philippines will import 3.4 million metric tons of rice and 8.3
million metric tons of corn from July 2022 to June 2023. What medium to long-term
measures must be implemented to attain food security in the Philippines?
Answer: Food security is a broad topic and there are so much to consider in
order to attain this in our country. But I think the best measure for this is to
give our full support to the producers itself, the farmers. I think every Local
Government Unit should have specific funds for this and that we support
everything they need including educational opportunities relative to effective
farming practices.
3. On Health Care, the Philippine out-of-pocket expenses from 1992 to 2022 has
remained at 50-55% of the Total Healthcare Expenses (THE). The more money is
allocated to health care services (DOH, PhilHealth, LGUs), the more Filipinos spend out-
of-pocket! Why is that? What must be done to rectify the situation?
Answer: I think the government should not only focus on preventing and
treating disease but to focus on improving the well-being of all Filipinos. I
think in order to rectify the situation, Local Government Units should have a
good health system.
4. RA 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991 was signed into
law by President Cory C Aquino on October 10, 1991. What is your evaluation of its
impact on the quality of life of Filipinos in urban and rural areas particularly, in your
own locality? What amendments, if any would you recommend?
Answer: I think the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160) has
great impact on the quality of life of Filipinos in urban and rural areas since it
increases the efficiency in resource allocation. In our locality, our Local
Government Unit become more responsive to the needs of the community.