With just over a month before he steps down, President Benigno Aquino III on Wednesday started giving farewells by saying that he is leaving behind a better Philippines to the next administration.

''Ang masasabi ko po, sa darating na ika-30 ng Hunyo, pagpalo ng alas-dose ng tanghali, matiwasay tayong makakababa sa puwesto, makakalingon nang taas-noo sa sambayanang Pilipino, at mata sa matang masasabi: Tumotoo ako sa inyo. Tumupad ako sa mandatong kaloob ng aking mga Boss,'' Aquino said in his speech during the signing into law of the Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Bill.

The President has been known to point out how the Philippines suffered under the nine-year presidency of his predecessor, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, even calling the rule of the of the former leader as a ''lost decade."

READ: 'No lost decade under Arroyo'

''Tunay nating maipapamana sa susunod na henerasyon ang isang Pilipinas na di hamak na mas maganda kaysa sa atin pong dinatnan; at nagawa natin ito, dahil nagtulungan tayo, inangat natin ang isa’t isa, at inuna natin ang ating kapwa at bayan, bago ang sariling kapakakan,'' Aquino said.

''Hanggang sa huli po: Isang karangalan para sa isang Noynoy Aquino ang makapaglingkod sa isang dakilang lahi, sa aking mga Boss, sa inyo, ang sambayanang Pilipino."

Under the leadership of President Aquino, the Philippine economy has grown more than 6 percent.

Come June 30, Aquino will pass on the presidency to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, whose single-issue campaign focusing on law and order catapulted him to victory.

Calling Duterte a "dictator in the making" at the campaign homestretch, Aquino has since congratulated the tough-talking mayor and prepared the next government for a smooth transition.

Political observers and stakeholders are now on their toes as Duterte unveils his vision for the Philippines, with the the presumptive president's choice of Cabinet members being one of the first indicators on how he plans to run the government.

LOOK: Duterte's Cabinet and then some

PROTECTION FOR KIDS DURING DISASTERS

President Aquino, meanwhile, signed this morning Republic Act 10821 or the Children's Emergency Relief and Protection Act, which seeks to provide children with comprehensive relief and protection before, during and after a disasters.

The law establishes a new global standard for accountability to children as it will now be a national policy of the Republic of the Philippines to protect the particular needs of children, before, during and after crisis through a comprehensive emergency program, and heighten surveillance against child trafficking and other violence against children in the aftermath of disasters and calamities.

The law also mandates the creation of a system for restoring civil documents, fewer disruption of education activities, and an improved child-centered training of all responders.

The new law also mandates the Department of Social Welfare and Development to formulate a comprehensive emergency program for children. It also tasks local government units to integrate the said program in their development and local disaster risk reduction and management plans and budget.

The program also assures the establishment of evacuation centers and transitional shelters for orphaned and separated children and the immediate delivery of basic services.

In his speech, President Aquino said that while all these measures are already being implemented in the government's disaster risk reduction and management strategies, the new law makes protecting children during a crisis a national policy whoever is the sitting president.

He added the law will make people feel more secure, knowing that the government is there to help protect and provide relief when disasters strike.