MANILA, Philippines — As 2020 approaches, Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Saturday that Filipinos would have “so much” to look forward to next year.
The remark came as the Palace welcomed the results of a survey which showed that 93 percent of Filipinos said they would face 2020 with hope.
“Filipinos indeed have so much to look forward to in 2020 under the current administration,” Panelo said in a statement.
The spokesman, calling the year 2019 an “exemplary year” for the Philippines, listed several accomplishments of the administration this year—including the country’s reception of a BBB+ investment rating.
“Last April, we received a BBB+ investment rating (a notch away from A rating and the highest credit rating the Philippines has received) which is an expression of confidence on the leadership and administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Panelo said.
Panelo also hailed the passage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and inclusion (TRAIN) Law as well as the Build, Build, Build Infrastructure Program.
These programs, Panelo said, “are important in achieving our goal of bringing a more comfortable life for all Filipinos.”
In terms of addressing the issue of poverty, Panelo said poverty incidence dropped from 23.3 percent in 2015 to 16.6 percent in 2018, citing date from the Philippine Statistics Authority.
Panelo said this means that 5.9 million Filipinos were lifted out of poverty.
“We are making headway in our poverty alleviation efforts. Even the President’s harshest critics can not deny that the number of poor Filipinos declined faster than expected in the last three years,” Panelo said.
“As we enter the new year, this Administration remains confident that our people will continue to rally behind the government towards genuine change as we wish each Filipino a happy, peaceful and successful 2020,” he added.
The survey released to media on Friday showed that 93 percent of Filipinos said they will face 2020 with hope while seven percent are undecided. Meanwhile, less than one percent (0.2 percent) said they will face the approaching new year without hope.
The 93 percent hopefulness rate this year is two percentage points higher than the 91 percent in December 2018.