TERtiary and Basic Education: 

2nd of 3-part Analysis on President Duterte's first year in office

During the Spanish occupation, education was elusive for every Filipino. Only the families in the higher strata had the privilege to send their children in school. This was the colonizers' strategy to keep the Philippines under their power. 

At the beginning of the 20th century, Filipinos' hope to finally be educated was made possible by the Americans through the Thomasites, the American soldiers who taught the Filipinos at the time.

Additional manpower's budget has risen by 15.4% and learning resources by 6.7%. 

Alternative Learning System (ALS)

Deteriorating and Unhabitual Environment: 

1st of 3-part Analysis on President Duterte's first year in office

2016 is the year of the promised change. The victory of then Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte seemed to be a vengeance against the previous administration, that for some, has failed to bring change to the nation. 

That could also be the reason why the slogan "Change is coming" has become Duterte's greatest weapon in winning the country's highest post. 

War on drugs, mining corporations, terrorism, peace talks - these are only few of the things we often hear in the news as Duterte assumed office. His activeness both locally and internationally has paved a way to his prominence. 

Undeniably, the Philippines' 16th president is influential. 

For 365 days in the office, our commander-in-chief has signed a lot of executive orders and proclamations; initiated numerous projects - but among these, which ones have the most effective results? 

This is MNLKID's Analysis on DUTerTE

The 21st century is the age where nature is almost on its critical level. Melting ice in the north, rising ocean acidity, continuous increment of greenhouse gases are just few of today's environmental threats.

And as a response, different countries have signed the Paris Agreement to slow down the disruption of the environment.

On his first days in the office, President Duterte mentioned that the Philippines won't sign the aforementioned treaty. But on February 28, 2017, Digong finally changed his mind, and signed the agreement.

With Regina "Gina" Paz Lopez as his appointed secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Duterte was seen by the masses as the president who also prioritizes nature conservation other than his main goal to eradicate criminality.



Among all other environmental concerns, Gina had chosen to focus on mining industry that bears hazardous effects not just on the ecology alone, but to citizenry as well. Under her tenure, almost half of all mining corporations were shut down.

But the Commission on Appointments put this good start to a halt as they denied Lopez's appointment.

The latter was replaced by Gen. Roy Cimatu, who promised to focus on more environmental concerns other than mining. The appointment of the two and their respective advocacies might be a leap for our environment, but there are other aspects this current administration must also give focus on—our deteriorating waters.


Duterte Administration on Water Conservation

For a year, the issues on our waters have not been the talk of the town. But this does not mean that the government didn't exert effort to this specific concern.

In October 2016, the construction of a landfill in Obando that could pollute the town's river, was stopped by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

In a decision released by the Environmental Management Bureau-Region III, the immediate closure of the sanitary landfill was ordered. The town folks battled with the Ecoshield Development Corporation, owner of the landfill, for seven years until they finally triumphed over the business giant.

The victory of Obandeños is a good sign that the government genuinely cares for the environment, but the real battle is yet to come.

'Dirtiest River'



Gateway to the Metropolitan, Bulacan is a province that cradles colorful traditions and must-see places. It is the home of the country's national heroes, the fertility dance festival, and mouth-watering delicacies.

But among these appealling things that identify Bulacan, there's one appalling reality every Filipino should know about the province—the existence of the MMORS.


Marilao, Meycauayan, Obando River System (MMORS) stretches across four cities (Meycauayan, San Jose del Monte, Valenzuela, and Caloocan) and three municipalities (Marilao, Sta. Maria, and Obando). This river system is prominent not because it possesses crystal clear waters nor beautiful scenery, but because it was once branded as one of the 30 dirtiest rivers in the whole world.



The river houses more than 3 million people, resulting to the river's rapid contamination due to household wastes directly disposed to the waters.



In a monitoring conducted by EMB Region III in 2002, the river was confirmed to possess exceedances in heavy metals and biochemical oxygen demand that led to the pollution of major parts of the river system. For more than a decade, this body of water seemed to be hopeless as it only received minimal attention from the national government.

According to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Obando (MENRO), the rehabilitation took place a few years ago but no development could be seen.



Efforts of the local government were evident, but these initiatives should receive a greater aid coming from the national government itself.


Lost Beauty 

Nanay Teodora, a resident of Barangay Liputan recalled the beauty Liputan used to possess. The river surrounding their barangay used to be as clean as other rivers.

According to her, it used to be bountiful and children could take a bath in the waters, but as industrialization gradually changed the society, the beauty of their surroundings had faded along with it.


According to barangay Liputan's officials, the residents have only minimal contribution to the pollution of the waters, as they dispose their garbages far from their area. The thing is, the barangay has its own garbage collection system.

But what are the most hazardous pollutants? Industries.



A big part of the river system might be fully contaminated, but there is still Obando River that manages to survive.

'Last River Flowing'

Unlike the other parts of the river system, Obando river is not yet fully polluted because it still produces bountiful water resources.Fishing is the major occupation of residents who reside in the coastal barangays of the town: Salambao and Binuangan.

But this bounty is still on the verge of being scarce with Obando being the "catch basin" of the system.

Contaminated waters could reach the whole Obando river due to shallowness of the latter, caused by garbage silt. But the proliferation of contaminated water coming from Meycauayan and Marilao is not the sole problem.

Not far from Salambao and Binuangan, an open dumpsite has been operating for years.

Navotas Dumpsite, operated by PhilEco, also causes harm to the rivers. The area near the site was proven positive in lead contamination—which is the major antagonist of fishermen whose families depend on the river.

According to some fishermen of Barangay Salambao, they have always had good harvest before the time the Navotas dumpsite became operational.



But now, they struggle to survive every day due to less number of available water resources, even worsened by strict rules the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) implements in the area. If the dredging of rivers did not take place immediately, the "Last River Flowing" might meet its end.

Time might come when pollutants from Meycauayan and Marilao waters could meet the leaking contaminants coming from Navotas dumpsite.


The current administration is doing a good job in addressing numerous societal problems, irresponsible mining to cite one example. But there are other things that require immediate response.

Water is the source of life, that is why in the following years of President Duterte, its conservation should be prioritized, too.

Due to staging in Marawi City, President Rodrigo Duterte, as the commander-in-chief declared Martial Law to stop the militant forces threatening the Southern Philippines.

Beeping sounds of traversing vehicles on the roads, fizzling train from the above, and a few people standing, walking, and running. Towering skyscrapers dressed with colorful billboards, plenty of people working for survival - these things make Cubao a very urban area.

With all things that are present in the place, there's one reality that makes us all unease - the existence of hungry stomachs.

We can't deny that the authorities exert efforts to solve this problem, but those projects seem to be insufficient. To eradicate hunger and extreme poverty were even included in the Millenium Goals of the United Nations, but even up to this day, hunger is still a problem for some nations especially to those who are considered a third world. 

The fight against hunger seems to be bleak and full of despair, but a certain place in Cubao, Quezon City proves that a change starts in simple acts.

"Duterte's Kitchen", not a project of the Government, feeds hungry stomachs of all ages, from breakfast to dinner. The kitchen operates from 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Monday - Saturday. 

The brigade against hunger started in October 2016, a brainchild of Sec. Alfonso Cusi of the Department of Energy but initiated by Dexter Araquel.

Inspired by the "Palugaw ni Mayor" in Davao City, the project initially fed children but as donations flooded, it began to feed everyone who comes to their kitchen. As Duterte's Kitchen continues to fight hunger in Cubao, media noticed them. 

Several interviews conducted that resulted to overflowing donations.

Only 9 months old, this project is the first to use the name "Duterte's Kitchen" with a famous tagline "Walang matutulong nang gutom" (No one will sleep hungry). As of today, Duterte's Kitchen is being ran by Miss Gail Gumana as the Operations Manager with "Sir Jeffrey" asthe admin. 

The kitchen-in-charge were, Noel Ramos and Gema Musong both cooks, with Janilyn Ugayan and George Mendez as their assistants. 

The kitchen also has its regular volunteers, "Ate Mimi" and "Nanay Rodora" along with other volunteers who keep the area clean and organized. These people got nothing in exchange. 

With hearts for service, these people are contented to see smiling faces as a return for their good deeds. 

"Actually, magaan sa pakiramdam na makatulong sa taong nangangailangan lalo na yung mga nagugutom sa kalye na palakad-lakad lang, yung homeless" (Actually, it's a great feeling to help people in need especially those who are in the streets who are hungry, homeless), Said Sir Jeffrey. As what they always say, as the new millenium entered, people gradually lose its faith in the humanity.

But, this project proves that the heart for service and charity is still burning, as long as willing persons exist.

This kitchen is very different because it is not running for monetary profit, but after the aspiration to keep hungry stomachs full, not just with the food, but of hope. For donations and volunteers, you can go directly to their headquarters along MRT Cubao. 

You can also reach them in their hotline numbers: 0915-551-1099 and 437-0423.