Aquino, Binay, Filipinos welcome 2015 with ‘unwavering optimism’

MANILA (via PhilAmPress) – President Benigno Aquino III has expressed optimism that his government will achieve the permanent change that the country is longing for through his ‘tuwid na daan’ (straight path) reform policy and with the divine guidance and help of every Filipino.
Vice President Jesus Jose Maria “Jejomar” Binay, on the other hand, aired hope that “we make a conscious effort to learn the lessons of the past year, and from there move forward with greater resolve to focus on goals that serve the greater good, and not personal or selfish ends.”

This as 9 out of 10 Filipinos or 93 percent are hopeful that 2015 will be a better year as indicated in a new Social Weather Station survey.
“Let us all harness our collective spirit and build a truly democratic nation that respects the dignity of all Filipinos,” the nation’s number two leader stressed in his New Year message.
Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr., meanwhile, aired hope and optimism 2015 “will be a better and brighter year for the Filipinos.”
”We are approaching the final year of my term. This year, through the help of our bosses, we will make permanent the change we have been enjoying right now,” the President said in his New Year’s message.
“With the guidance of the Almighty, and with the help of every Filipino, I am certain that we will achieve the lasting change that we all long for,” he added.
The President said nobody can stop him from taking the straight path for as long as his bosses – Filipino people will join him taking the righteous path that his administration has achieved in the last five years.
“Indeed, by putting our trust in each other, by doing our share, and by remaining steadfast to the straight and righteous path, we have ushered in a new and transformed Philippines,” Aquino said.
With only 17 months before the 2016 national elections, the President also urged the Filipino people to be cautious of the politicians who are trying to derail the straight path.
“Let us remember, despite the achievements we have worked hard for, there are still those watching our every move and are waiting for an opportunity to bring us back to the old system,” the President said.
The President mentioned some of the achievements of his administration such as the eight public-private-partnership (PPP) projects he signed and awarded from 2011 to 2014.
President Aquino also talked about the 21 positive credit ratings the country has achieved under his watch from the world’s prestigious credit rating agencies such as Moody’s, Standard and Poor, and Fitch Group.
He also mentioned the expanded beneficiaries of the Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) program and the government’s improved response to disasters and calamities particularly in the last typhoon Ruby.
President Aquino appealed to the lawmakers to join him in finding right solution to the impending power crisis in the summer of 2015.
”It is my appeal to our partners in other branch of government. Open our hearts and mind for the welfare of the greater good,” the President said.
Malacanang has recently asked Congress to grant the President special authority to purchase additional generating capacity that will cover the looming energy shortages next year.
However, Senate committee on energy chairman Sen. Serge Osmena III said there is no need for emergency powers to solve the impending power crisis.
”During time times we have shortages, we should open our eyes so that we will be there to find immediate solution to the challenges we are facing,” President Aquino said.
President Aquino has also renewed appeal to the Filipino people to avoid firecrackers and instead use noisemakers that are not damaging such as blowing of horns and loud music in welcoming the New Year.
”I have an appeal to you. Let’s stop using firecrackers this New Year. Let’s think of the damages it brings to our people and environment,” the President said.
VP Binay said: “The year 2015 has been designated as “The Year of the Poor.” And as we prepare for the visit of his Holiness, Pope Francis, let us also heed his call to renew our commitment to Christ’s message of love and compassion, especially for the sick and indigent.”
“For those of us in government, this means selfless service to our people, no matter their standing in life, without thought of reward. Our time, talents, energy, and resources must be focused on rendering effective governance and real service to those whom we have vowed to serve,” Binay stressed.
The Vice President added : “It is my hope that we make a conscious effort to learn the lessons of the past year, and from there move forward with greater resolve to focus on goals that serve the greater good, and not personal or selfish ends. May we all have a happy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year!”
Speaker Belmonte led the Lower Chamber in welcoming the 2015 with hope and optimism it will be a better and brighter year for the Filipinos.
Belmonte urged the public to celebrate the new year by reflecting on the experiences in the previous year and renew commitment in serving the people and the country.
“We look forward to the year ahead, filled with gratitude for those who have unselfishly helped us in the past, with confidence in our ability to surmount the difficulties that lie ahead and with undeterred resolve to make this coming year better and more prosperous for us all,” Belmonte said.
The House leader asked Filipinos to build on what they have done and continue working harder to achieve more triumphs and milestones in the coming year.
“As we welcome 2015, let us be thankful for the blessings that have been showered upon us. On behalf of the House of Representatives, I wish you all peace and happiness as we usher in the year 2015,” he added.
Nine out of 10 Filipinos or 93 percent are facing 2015 with hope rather than fear, according to a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey,
Only six percent are facing 2015 with fear, the survey showed.
Ninety-three percent of Filipinos surveyed were optimistic about 2015, slightly below the 94 percent registered last year based on the SWS survey conducted from November 27 to December 1.
The pollster noted that “hope for the New Year has always been high, starting with 87 percent when questions was first asked in 2000, and with 88 percent on 2001.”
Only 6 percent are facing 2015 with fear, SWS said.
The optimism reached an all-time high of 95 percent in 2002, slipping to 90 percent in 2003, and 81 percent in 2004.
It picked up again, to 85 percent in 2005 and 91 to 92 percent from 2006 to 2008, dropped to 89 percent in 2009 before bouncing back to 93 percent in 2010.
Hope reached 95 percent in 2011, 92 percent in 2012, 94 percent in 2013 and 93 percent in 2014.
The survey found that as in previous years, optimism for the New Year spread across all areas. It was 91 percent in Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao; and 96 percent in Balance Luzon.
“Compared to 2013, the percentages of those who are hopeful of the 2015 New Year hardly changed in all areas,” SWS said.
It noted New Year hope had been flat for three years in Metro Manila, at 91 percent in 2013 and 2014, and 93 percent in 2012. This was 96 percent in 2010 and 2011.
In the Visayas, the 91 percent is similar to the 93 percent in 2012 and 2013, but slightly lower than the record 97 percent in 2010 and 96 percent in 2011.
Mindanao’s 91 percent in 2014 is similar to the 92 percent in 2013. It was a low 85 percent in 2012, from 94 percent in 2011.
SWS said more respondents see a brighter New Year than those who expected a happy Christmas this year.
Of the 71 percent who expected a happy 2013 Christmas, 95 percent also look forward to 2014 with hope.
“Even among the 24 percent who say their Christmas would neither be happy nor sad, 91 percent are entering 2015 with hope,” SWS said.
On the other hand, of the 6 percent who expected a sad Christmas, 76 percent are hopeful and 24 percent are fearful of the coming New Year.
The survey used face-to-face interviews with 1,800 respondents, 300 each in Metro Manila, the Balance of Luzon and Mindanao, and 900 in Visayas.
Sampling error margins of ±2.3% for national percentages, ±5.7% each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon and Mindanao, and ±3.3% for Visayas applied to the survey.
Presidential Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the optimism is grounded on the Filipinos’ belief that the “foundations for sustainable growth have been laid.”
“Opportunities for meaningful work have been created. Millions of Filipinos are reaping the fruits of sound economic policies and good governance,” Coloma said.
Palace spokesman Edwin Lacierda gave almost the same assessment.
“Hope and optimism have always been characteristic of the Filipino people, who, throughout history, have consistently refused to give in to negativity, or to be cowed by challenges. The Aquino administration itself has been witness to this: we are a government borne of our people’s belief that the tide can turn in the Philippines; that good governance can replace an entrenched culture of corruption,” Lacierda said in a statement.