Bautista - Synthesis - Theory and Practice in Public Admin
Bautista - Synthesis - Theory and Practice in Public Admin
Bautista - Synthesis - Theory and Practice in Public Admin
Submitted to:
Dr. Teresita C. Arnaldo
Faculty of the Graduate School
Philippine Christian University
Dasmariňas City Campus
Submitted by:
Danise Janica C. Bautista
27 October 2017
Dutertenomics: Golden Age of Infrastructure
President Rodrigo Duterte positions infrastructure among the top priorities of his
Administration with public spending on infrastructures project targeted to reach 8-9 trillion
pesos from 2017-2022. This project ushers in the “Golden Age of Infrastructure” which is the
administration projected the reduction of poverty from 21.6% in 2015 to 13%-15% by 2022.
One of the reforms that will drive this Socioeconomic Agenda is the acceleration of
infrastructure as well as the development of industries that will produce dynamic growth in the
The Administration created a platform called the “Build Build Build Portal” where they
lists and post information on high impact projects that are alleged envisioned to increase the
productive capacity of the economy, create jobs, increase incomes, and strengthen the
Included in the 70 infrastructure projects posted in the BBB portal are construction and
improvement of various roads, ports, airports, subways and railways in the country. Here are
9. 12 Pasig River, Marikina River and Manggahan Floodway Bridges (Start: 2018 to 2021)
One of the plans includes building an entirely new railway system from Manila down to
Legazpi, which would reach about 620 kilometers. There would also be a 1,200 kilometers
railway system in Mindanao. The said projects have led the Philippines to negotiate with Japan
regarding specific and important projects that would possibly create several job opportunities
for Filipinos.
The Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management said that the Philippines
will leverage Japanese technology and know-how to the fullest extent to positively cooperate
for the improvement of infrastructure in Metro Manila and the whole Philippines. The
approved one-trillion-yen aid package (approx. $9 billion) from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo
Abe for the Philippines including both government aid and private investments. With this
package the administration’s ambitious project will be able to cover the fund needed for
infrastructure projects across the country over the next five years.
As a clear statement to the Japan’s intention in its generosity, it explained that it will
just strengthen its commercial engagement in the region as it contends for power with rival,
China and to use the Philippines as its gateway to the ASEAN market. It may be a win-win
situation for the Philippines since the Japan and Philippine relationship offers fund to a
70 infrastructure projects across the archipelago. Under the 2017 budget, the government
plans to increase infrastructure spending to more than 5% of the GDP. In relation to this, a
comprehensive tax reform will be considered also to help fund the infrastructure program. We
can grasp that the infrastructure program is an unparalleled move from a Filipino president, as
the government attempts to address Manila’s disreputable congestion and other transport
bottlenecks.
infrastructures will definitely conquered it which valour is an issue for investors to get
discouraged in establishing operations in the Philippines. The robust growth and development
in roads, ports, airports and railways will also put the country on footpath to becoming the
gateway to the growing ASEAN region. In addition, economists have viewed infrastructure as a
key factor for productivity and growth. I think it is important to comprehend the pragmatic
importance of the various transmission mechanisms through which infrastructure affects the
investment. But, one of the barriers for this good opportunity is the lack of adequate
infrastructure and investors see it as one major concern. This is the reason why President
Duterte has pledged to an ambitious $16 billion infrastructure plan during his six-year tenure
plan. Certainly, the provision and development of infrastructure has been the subject of many
billion dollars budget. Yet, President Duterte can count on the Japanese aid and other private
investments to pursue the completion of the infrastructure package. The administration may
have seen that investment in public infrastructure can also impact investment adjustment costs
and the durability of private capital. With a great quality of infrastructure, the stability of
which magnifies the growth impact of public infrastructure with the interconnected
relationship between education and health. People with higher education also healthy both
One good thing about this “golden age of infrastructure” is that the Duterte
Administration manages to put the DPWH, DOTr, BCDA and DBM together in cooperative
manner. With this coordination alignment amongst these government agencies, the
some infrastructure projects from the previous administration. This step of President Duterte is
indeed a time and pennywise since the projects had been started by other past presidents he
enabled its continuity to be completed. All resources used by the past administration on these
In the end, the goal of the Duterte Administration to usher the country to the “golden
age of infrastructure” is for our country to progress and to give it an enormous potential for
development which will definitely benefit the people. The only challenge is that as to whether
the President will be able to manage the project until the completion stage giving greater
administrative powers and functions. It will also depend on how it will be financed and the