Aquino, Filipinos ‘look forward to a peaceful, prosperous 2016’

With six months left in office, President Benigno Aquino III on Tuesday touted his achievements during his term in his last New Year message as the country’s leader.

“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),” he said in a statement.

READ: 89% of Filipinos welcome 2016 with hope—Pulse Asia

Aquino also took another jab at the Arroyo administration, saying that he assumed office five years ago when it was full of “despair and uncertainty.

“I am filled with pride by how far we have come since we began our journey in 2010. 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,” he said.

Aquino said the successes of his administration were achieved because of Daang Matuwid, or what he described as “the straight and righteous path.”

This path “transformed damaged public agencies into stronger, more transparent, and responsive institutions; turned a demoralized government workforce into dedicated civil servants; galvanized an apathetic populace into active, empowered nation-builders; and 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,” Aquino cited.

He said this righteous path should also guide voters in the coming 2016 presidential elections.

“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. As long as we bear in our hearts and minds the welfare of our people, we will realize our inherent greatness and usher in a Philippines that we can proudly bequeath to the coming generations,” Aquino added. RAM

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