MANILA, Philippines – As the New Year marks the last six months of his administration, President Aquino vowed yesterday to remain faithful to his tasks and build on the country’s “resurgence” under his straight path advocacy before stepping down from office.
“I join all Filipinos as we bid farewell to a historic 2015 and expectantly look forward to a peaceful, prosperous 2016. Our country’s soaring economy, robust democracy and magnified presence on the global stage not only promise a great start to the coming year but also highlight the Philippines’ ongoing narrative of resurgence under the daang matuwid (straight path),” Aquino said in his message for the New Year.
“As I reflect on the developments of our country this past year and those that came before it, I am filled with pride by how far we have come since we began our journey in 2010,” he said.
“Just a little more than five years ago, we faced a future full of despair and uncertainty; reports of plunder, mismanagement and corruption dominated our headlines. Today, progress, opportunity and growth fill news about the Philippines both here and abroad,” the President said.
Aquino said all these were achieved because of the collective resolve of both the government and the people to follow the straight and righteous path, which transformed damaged public agencies into stronger, more transparent and responsive institutions.
He said his administration’s adherence to the straight path has also turned a demoralized government workforce into dedicated civil servants as well as galvanized an apathetic populace into active, empowered nation-builders.
Furthermore, the administration’s straight path advocacy has also reinvigorated a sluggish business sector into a major driver of economic growth.
“Indeed, the daang matuwid is a roadmap that will catapult us into First World status and make us a $1-trillion economy by the year 2030,” the President said.
“This possibility encourages me and the rest of government to faithfully pursue our tasks in the last six months of my administration. The same thought should guide us as we choose our leaders this coming election: to maintain the upward trajectory of our growth and keep our nation on the daang matuwid,” Aquino said.
The President said that “as long as we bear in our hearts and minds the welfare of our people,” Filipinos would realize their inherent greatness and usher in a Philippines that they could proudly bequeath to the coming generations.