Aquino calls for unity in New Year message

President Benigno Aquino III. AP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–President Benigno Aquino III on Monday raised the importance of unity, especially in addressing climate change and worsening calamities.

“Now, more than ever, the truism of the saying, ‘United we stand, divided we fall,’ comes to the forefront. We are responsible for our world and its future,” Aquino said in the annual vin d’honneur at Malacañang, which was attended by members of the diplomatic corps.

“The time to act is now,” Aquino said of the fight against climate change, inequality and terrorism.

“We can work together: each person and each country doing its part to collectively solve all these issues. Or we can think only of ourselves, thereby allowing these challenges to grow more convoluted, and more insurmountable until we are all consumed by them,” he said.

Aquino said he was thankful that the world chose to hope in challenging times, especially when the Philippines was struck by calamities last year.

“We must also never forget how the vast majority of the world has responded to such trials. Instead of being daunted or wallowing in fear, we have chosen to hope,” he said.

The President said he cannot forget how different nations “reached out to the Philippines” after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) and Typhoon “Ruby” (Hagupit).

“I will never forget how the global community has come together to fight climate change, including the example of His Holiness Pope Francis, who is expected to issue an encyclical on climate change and the imperative for all of humanity to take action,” he added.

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