MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday expressed confidence that Filipinos will see brighter days ahead after a difficult year marked by coronavirus pandemic that brought recession and harrowing ordeals for many.
In his new year’s message, Duterte said Filipinos will march on to a new year ‘wiser, stronger and more prepared for the challenges ahead.”
“Today is a joyful day, a time for new beginnings and a time to be hopeful. We ended the previous year with so much difficulties and trials, but with much gratitude. It was because we endured everything – sustained by our distinct resilience as a people,” he said.
“I am confident that all of us will see brighter days ahead because we believe in the indomitable spirit of the Filipino,” he added.
The Philippines closed 2020 with a total of 474,064 coronavirus infections with 439,796 recoveries and 9,244 fatalities. The government earlier said it is expecting to roll-out its COVID-19 vaccination plan in May 2021.
“The COVID-19 pandemic may have cost us so many lives and material resources, but we also learned so much from it,” Duterte said.
“We realized the value of human life and our relationships with each other. We understood what it means to be a family, a community, a nation. We learned to share and to look after the welfare of our brethren,” he added.
The president then called on Filipinos to be “mindful of all the blessings we have received and on how fortunate we are.”
“Let our grateful hearts guide and inspire us to always do good and make a difference in the world,” he said.
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