EVEN President Rodrigo Duterte, himself, agrees that the Philippines may not be as promising as previous years have been as he called on the public to be wiser, stronger and prepared for new challenges this year.
In a public message in time for the New Year, Duterte welcomed 2021 with hope, and said the indomitable spirit of Filipinos would lead to better days despite the pandemic, adding that the fresh year should serve as an opportunity to be wiser, stronger, and prepared for new challenges.
“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,” he said in a statement.
Duterte also expressed belief and confidence that Filipinos are resilient and as such would be able to defy the odds, just like in many other instances of extreme conditions in the past.
“[W]e endured everything — sustained by our distinct resilience as a people… I am confident that all of us will see brighter days ahead because we believe in the indomitable spirit of the Filipino.”
He also called for Filipino unity.
“The COVID-19 pandemic may have cost us so many lives and material resources, but we also learned so much from it. We realized the value of human life and our relationships with each other,” Duterte said.
“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.
Millions of Filipinos – both here and abroad, have lost their jobs as COVID-19 restrictions crippled the economy and shuttered businesses.