Speaker Velasco’s New Year message: Let’s welcome 2021 with renewed hope, inspiration

Speaker Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque is formally elected as new Speaker of the House after 186 Congressmen voted for him at the Plenary Hall of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer

MANILA, Philippines — Speaker Lord Allan Velasco on Thursday called on Filipinos to welcome the new year with renewed hope and inspiration as the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic lingers on.

“Let us all look to the coming year with renewed hope and inspiration,” Velasco said in his New Year’s message.

“As we close the chapter on the year 2020, may we look back and be grateful for the things that we still enjoy and have,” he added.

He assured the public that the House of Representatives will continue to pass “timely and relevant laws to alleviate the plight of our people during these trying times.”

He also expressed hope for an affordable, safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 for the country “at the soonest time possible.”

“Having a safe and effective vaccine available to Filipinos is currently the best way for us to beat the virus,” Velasco added.

WATCH: A year of unimaginable misery: The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic

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