20 hopes, wishes and prayers for the year 2020
After Ursula and a very turbulent 2019, we are moving on with much expectations for 2020. As we welcome the New Year, we declare some specific hopes, wishes, and prayers to make this one better than 2019. We have six hopes for the whole world and humanity, seven wishes for the Philippines and seven prayers for Cebu Province and Cebu City.
For the world, we hope, first of all, that the global warming and climate change won't cause more disasters and calamities to humanity. Second, we hope that the world leaders including US, Russia, China, and the EU- and NATO-aligned nations, will rise above narrow partisanship and reduce political tensions and instability. Third, in the Asia-Pacific, I hope that China will respect our territorial integrity and North Korea will manage its nuclear program well to avoid tensions in the region. Fourth, that new leaders of positive outlook and values shall emerge in Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Fifth, I hope that the ASEAN integration shall be accelerated. And, sixth that global labor migration will be managed to uphold human dignity.
For the Philippines, first, I wish that the political leadership, in the face of a very high popularity rating of President Rody Duterte, should use this peoples' support, to institute long-term reforms in the economy, in politics and in governance. Second, I wish that there will be less partisanship between the administration and the opposition, and they shall unite to create meaningful changes in government. Third, I wish mores successes in the war against drugs with less people dying. Fourth, I wish that the poverty and unemployment rates shall go down dramatically. Fifth, I wish the president shall order a stop to sending domestic helpers abroad. Sixth, the “Build, build, build” program should also focus on housing for the poor. Seventh, I wish that we are all better prepared to manage disasters, calamities, and crises.
For Cebu, first, I pray that the province and city leaders shall set aside petty differences and unite to make Cebu the best in the Philippines, the best in economic development, peace and order, traffic management, disaster preparedness and social programs. Second, Cebu should surpass Iloilo in the care of its environment, cleanup of the city, greening of the surroundings and discipline of its residents. Third, I pray that the drug menace, prostitution, and petty crimes shall be addressed by the police with a high degree of professionalism. Fourth, I pray that the church leaders of Cebu shall gain headway in their work for the canonization of Msgr. Teofilo Camomot as Cebu's second saint. Fifth, I pray that we will have a very successful Sinulog celebration.
Sixth, I pray that there shall be more development of the southern Cebu from Carcar all the way to Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, Moalboal, Badian up to Santander, then going to Oslob all the way to Argao and Sibonga. Developmental funds should not be monopolized by the north. Seventh, I pray for focus on the urban poor settlements, employment and livelihood. 2020 should bring more blessings than calamities. I know that the Lord is listening. I am not sure with the politicians though.
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