{"id":6740,"date":"2016-07-15T11:14:14","date_gmt":"2016-07-15T03:14:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/?p=6740"},"modified":"2016-07-19T10:19:09","modified_gmt":"2016-07-19T02:19:09","slug":"15-days-of-duterte","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/2016\/07\/15\/15-days-of-duterte\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Days of Duterte"},"content":{"rendered":"

It has been two weeks since\u00a0President Rodrigo Duterte started his 6-year presidential term in the Philippines. We’ve witnessed quick and constant social and economic progress as little as two days after he gave his inaugural speech last June 30.\u00a0One example are photos<\/a> of an\u00a0unusually clean and clear\u00a0Divisoria<\/a> (a very busy shopping place in Recto, Manila) and Baclaran Market that have gone viral on social media.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read: Rodrigo Duterte as a leader<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

While numerous evidences are tossed everywhere for everyone to see, is Duterte\u2019s promise of a better Philippines in 6 months really possible? Is change really<\/em> coming? Let\u2019s round up some of the most notable acts of the Duterte administration in its\u00a0first 15 days.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

1. Effective Contra illegal drug operations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"drugs\"<\/span><\/p>\n

(Photo credit: The Straits Times<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Duterte\u2019s main goal of eliminating illegal drugs in the country has been showing rapid progression during\u00a0his first few days in Malaca\u00f1ang. It is evident with thousands of drug users and pushers surrendering for rehabilitation program right after “Oplan Tokhang” or Operation Tokhang <\/em>was launched<\/a> on July 1. Tokhang<\/em> is a combination of the Visayan words<\/span> toktok<\/em> or knock-knock, and hangyo<\/em> or request. This is a police operation wherein local government units and barangay officials visit the houses of drug users and pushers, and then try to convince them to surrender for rehabilitation, as explained in an Inquirer <\/em>report. Not only that, the implementation of a new curriculum<\/a> that aims to strengthen drug education\u00a0in the Philippines is on-going. <\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the death threats<\/a> he has received, the President doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. He also fearlessly name-dropped<\/a> top police officials who were said to be “protectors” of illegal drug trade.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. The Philippines will now have its own emergency hotline 911<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"911\"<\/span><\/p>\n

(Photo credit: Business Mirror<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Duterte is planning to implement\u00a0Davao City\u2019s emergency response system nationwide through hotline numbers 911 and 8888. Utilizing word-class security technology, the Philippines will now have faster access to the government\u2019s emergency response resources. The project is currently in progress; it may even be\u00a0ready to serve the Filipino people once they make it official\u00a0in August this year. He has done it as the Mayor of Davao City, and he will surely accomplish it as the Philippine President as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read: <\/em>911 emergency, 8888 complaint hotlines to be launched in PH this August<\/a><\/em>
\n<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Curfew, Karaoke and Liquor Ban implementations<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"curfew-duterte\"<\/span><\/p>\n

(Photo credit: Trending News Portal<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These measures are fully effective nationwide right now. Unescorted minors will not be allowed to go out of\u00a0their homes at night. The same\u00a0goes for late night karaoke and liquor sessions which will be prohibited to ensure public order and safety.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read: City rules in Metro Manila that you may not be familiar with<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

4. Tanim-bala <\/em>has been officially ended<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"changeorg-bullets-naia-20151029\"<\/span><\/p>\n

(Ph<\/em>oto credit: change.org<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

“Kayong nasa NAIA, pag may tanim pa d’yan, lahat kayo alis <\/em>(You at NAIA, if there is still bullet-planting, you\u2019re all out).”<\/span><\/p>\n

All it took was this firm statement from Duterte for Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) personnel to mind their actions regarding the tanim-bala <\/em>or bullet-planting issue. He insisted that there will be no more charges filed against passengers found with bullets in their luggage, unless there is a firearm seized from them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

5. Solutions to traffic are now on their way<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"traffic2\"<\/span><\/p>\n

(Photo credit: Inquirer<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Duterte had his mind fixed in finding effective and, if possible, permanent solutions to the Philippines’\u00a0traffic woes\u00a0 long before the 2016 elections. For airports, Duterte wants to utilize\u00a0Clark International Airport in Pampanga as an alternative airport, and then build a fast train to deliver goods and commuters to Metro Manila. He is also planning to buy 30 or 50 more train carriages to ease the long waiting lines in Metro Line Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT 3) and Light Rail Transit 1 & 2 (LRT 1 & 2) platforms. And if that will not at least lessen the problems in traffic jams, Duterte wants to put up a new train line that will run along the Pasig River.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

6. Free WiFi services in major transport hubs
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"MRT-2_Train_Interior\"<\/span><\/p>\n

(Photo credit: Wikipedia<\/a>)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

One of the leading telecommunications companies, Globe will provide\u00a0free WiFi service in all MRT 3 stations this July. Commuters can enjoy free WiFi for 30 minutes a day. According to Joel Agustin, Globe’s Senior Vice President for Program Governance, they want to give\u00a0commuters a reliable connection to the\u00a0internet which could help them catch up with emails, stay up-to-date\u00a0with\u00a0current happenings and other communication requirements. Also, you can now load your beep\u2122 cards in all Globe stores and stalls. No more long waiting lines for MRT or LRT tickets! Soon you will be able to use your beep\u2122 cards\u00a0not only in trains, but also in buses.<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition to that, Duterte and the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) have\u00a0tapped PLDT, the country\u2019s largest phone carrier, to provide free WiFi in 21 transport hubs including NAIA Terminals 1,2,3 and 4, LRT1, LRT2, MRT 3 and other local airports within 100 days.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also read: Free Wi-Fi in select transportation systems and hubs, soon in Manila<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7. Executive Orders on Freedom Of Information and a Task Force for Media Killings are\u00a0being implemented<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Cmp-TRCWEAA79Yb\"<\/span><\/p>\n

(Photo credit: @MartinAndamar via Twitter)<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The people’s right to information on matters of public concern has been constitutionally recognized in the country, as seen in the 1973 version of the Philippine Constitution (Article IV, Sec. 6<\/a>) and the 1987 Philippine Constitution (Article II, Sec. 28 and Article III, Sec. 7<\/a>). A law that enforces these rights, called the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill, will help the media and ordinary citizens to gain easier access to public documents and records. This will, in turn, make it easier for public officials to be held accountable for their actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

He has also commissioned the\u00a0Presidential Communications Office<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Office of the Executive Secretary<\/a>\u00a0to draft an Administrative Order (A.O.) that will create a presidential task force on media killings with the intent of ending media violence and killing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Duterte aims to implement these orders as early as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Sources: I love Pagadian<\/a>; FHM<\/a>; Manila Coconuts<\/a>; Rappler<\/a>; Philippines Now<\/a>; Rappler<\/a>;\u00a0Philstar Oplan Tokhang<\/a>; Philippine Online Chronicles<\/a>; Buzzflare<\/a>;<\/em> Rappler<\/a>,\u00a0Manila Bulletin<\/a>,\u00a0Philstar Media Killing Admin Order<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It has been two weeks since\u00a0President Rodrigo Duterte started his 6-year presidential term in the Philippines. We’ve witnessed quick and constant social and economic progress as little as two days after he gave his inaugural speech last June 30.\u00a0One example are photos of an\u00a0unusually clean and clear\u00a0Divisoria (a very busy shopping place in Recto, Manila) and Baclaran Market that have gone viral on social media. Also read: Rodrigo Duterte as a leader While numerous evidences are tossed everywhere for everyone to see, is Duterte\u2019s promise of a better Philippines in 6 months really possible? Is change really coming? Let\u2019s round up some of the most notable acts of the Duterte […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6740","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-and-current-events"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/2016\/07\/FILIPPINE_-_0510_-_Presidente-e1468550981772.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6740","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6740"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6740\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6774,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6740\/revisions\/6774"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6740"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6740"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/primer.com.ph\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6740"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}