PRESIDENT Benigno S. Aquino III called on Filipinos to continue fostering the spirit of “bayanihan” (cooperation) in order for the advancements achieved by the government to improve the image of the Philippines as the former “Sick Man of Asia” into the revitalized tiger it is today, will carry over into 2013 and the succeeding New Years.
In his New Year’s message delivered on Monday, December 31, the President said that only after two and a half years in Office, his Administration was able to achieve historic feats such as building lasting peace through the signing of a Framework Agreement with the MILF, attaining rice sufficiency by plugging leaks and properly managing rice production in the agriculture sector, bridging the classroom gap, alleviating poverty by investing in social and infrastructure endeavors, bringing electricity to far-flung sitios and improving the economy which has now grown 7.1 percent to be the best performer in Asia.
He added that by implementing reforms in the judiciary and improving the country’s ability to respond to natural calamities, the Philippines has shown to the entire world the readiness of Filipinos to sacrifice and dedicate his entire self to achieve his dreams and ambitions. (PCOO)
