Benigno Simeon Aquino III

Benigno Simeon "Noynoy" Aquino III served as the 15th President of the Philippines from 2010 to 2016. During his term, he implemented various programs and initiatives aimed at improving the economy, infrastructure, education, government reform, health, and peace and order in the country. However, his presidency was also marked by controversies and criticisms.

Economy:

• Under Aquino's term, the Philippine economy experienced significant growth, with an average GDP growth rate of 6.3% from 2010 to 2016.

• Aquino implemented the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program, which aimed to encourage private sector investment in public infrastructure projects.

• The Philippines received investment-grade credit ratings during his term, which helped boost investor confidence.

Infrastructure:

• Aquino implemented the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program, which aimed to improve infrastructure in the country, including airports, seaports, roads, and bridges.

• Major infrastructure projects completed during his term include the NAIA Expressway, the LRT Line 1 Extension, and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal.

Education:

• Aquino implemented the K-12 program, which added two years to the country's basic education system in order to improve the quality of education.

• The government increased the budget for education during his term, which led to the construction and repair of classrooms and the hiring of more teachers.

Government Reform:

• Aquino implemented the "Daang Matuwid" or "Straight Path" program, which aimed to promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in the government.

• He also created the Philippine Open Government Partnership, which aimed to increase transparency and public participation in government.

Health:

• Aquino implemented the Universal Health Care program, which aimed to provide all Filipinos with access to quality health services.

• The government increased the budget for health during his term, which led to the construction and improvement of hospitals and health facilities.

AFP Modernization Program:

• During his term, Aquino also made efforts to modernize the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). The AFP Modernization Program aimed to improve the country's defense capabilities and upgrade its military equipment and facilities.

• Under Aquino's administration, the AFP Modernization Program received a significant increase in funding. The government allocated a total of PHP 94.9 billion ($2.2 billion) for the program from 2010 to 2016, which was almost triple the amount allocated during the previous administration.

• Some of the key projects under the AFP Modernization Program implemented during Aquino's term include:

1. The acquisition of FA-50 fighter jets from South Korea
2. The acquisition of naval helicopters and patrol boats
3. The acquisition of radar systems and other surveillance equipment
4. The upgrade of military bases and facilities

Territorial Dispute:

• During his term, Aquino also played a significant role in the Philippines' arbitration case against China over the South China Sea dispute. The case was filed in 2013 and was decided by an international tribunal in 2016, during Aquino's last year in office.

• The tribunal, which was based in The Hague, Netherlands, ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China's historical claims to much of the South China Sea. The ruling also affirmed the Philippines' rights to its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf (ECS) in the South China Sea.

Peace and Order:

• Aquino implemented the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro, which aimed to achieve lasting peace in Mindanao by addressing the root causes of the conflict.

• His administration also implemented the Oplan Lambat-Sibat program, which aimed to reduce crime and improve public safety.

Controversies:

• Aquino was criticized for his handling of the Mamasapano incident in 2015, where 44 Special Action Force (SAF) troops were killed in a clash with Muslim rebels.

• He was also criticized for his handling of the response to Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013, which was one of the strongest typhoons to ever hit the country.