National Unity, Volunteerism to Sustain the Country’s Transformation, Says President Aquino

President Benigno S. Aquino III has expressed his optimism in a message for the New Year, saying that by remaining steadfast on the righteous path and by sustaining the country’s transformation, the Philippines could achieve a more inclusive future.

“Sa muling pagharap ng sambayanan sa sangandaan, piliin nating muli ang landas ng malasakit at katuwiran; Pumanig tayo sa tama, at umiwas sa mga mapagsamantala. Napakaganda na po talaga ng ating nasimulan; Ang mga mithiin na dati-rati ay hindi natin magawang pangarapin, ngayon, isa-isa na nating nararating,” the President said in his message released Tuesday.

“Tiwala sa isa’t isa ang nagdadala sa atin dito, at tiwala pa rin ang maghahatid sa atin patungo sa katuparan ng ating kolektibong mithiin. Sa gabay ng Poong Maykapal, at sa ambag ng bawat Pilipino, makakamit natin ang permanenteng pagbabago.”

The year 2014 was a fortunate time for the Philippines, he said, noting that the country has had notable milestones and achievements this year.

The Philippines, he said, had secured investment grade status from three major credit rating agencies in 2013, and has sustained this upward trajectory this year.

Last May, Standard & Poor’s gave the country another ratings upgrade, which was followed by Moody’s last November, he said, adding that these upgrades have made the country more attractive to investors and tourists, creating jobs and stimulating the economy further.

The President said these gains have also provided the government enough money to fund important measures that help the people, such as the Conditional Cash Transfer program and addressing the backlog in books, chairs and classrooms.

The government, he said, has also expanded initiatives, such as Tech-Voc Education and Training for Work Scholarship Programs to ensure that the people maximize the new opportunities as the country reaches its demographic sweet spot and as the ASEAN integrates in 2015.

The signing of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro last March was also a major feat, according to the President, since this will open the floodgates for tourism and investments in Mindanao.

He said he expects more developments once the Bangsamoro Basic Law is passed by Congress.

The country has also made strides in terms of disaster preparedness, with both the national and local governments performing better this year, he said, noting that the national and local governments had responded well when Mayon Volcano erupted and Typhoon Ruby struck the Visayan region.

“Nais ko pong magbigay-pugay sa lahat ng nakipagkapit-bisig upang masiguro na marami sa ating kababayan ay mailayo sa peligro,” the President said.

“Maraming salamat sa ating mga front-liner, mga first-responder, mga volunteer, at mga katuwang sa pribadong sektor upang magbigay ng sapat na preparasyon at tugon sa kalamidad na ito.”

Lastly, President Aquino appealed to the public to refrain from using firecrackers in welcoming the New Year, as this unnecessarily poses threats to the people’s health and the environment.

“Nariyan ang kalat at makapal na usok na nagbubungsod ng matinding polusyon, pati na ang malalakas na ingay na maaaring makapinsala sa pandinig ng iba,” he said.

“Higit sa lahat, nagdudulot din ito ng peligro sa ating mga kababayan na kung tutuusin ay hindi naman kailangan. Pagtuunan na lang sana natin ng atensyon ang ating mga mahal sa buhay dahil alam natin sila naman ang tunay na dahilan kung bakit tayo nagpapasalamat at nagdiriwang,” President Aquino said. PND (as/ag)