2012 was generally a good year for Filipinos.
Triumphs were made, losses were faced, and lessons were learned.
Filipinos are starting the year right, looking forward to 2013 with hope.
In its recent survey, Social Weather Station (SWS) revealed that nine out of ten Pinoys are hopeful rather that fearful in the new year. This was the predominant sentiment among respondents in Luzon (96 percent), Metro Manila (93 percent), and the Visayas (93 percent).
“At home and around the world, the Philippines has become recognized as a bastion of stability and good governance. Through hard work, deft decision-making, and intense political will, the President has laid down the foundations of justice and inclusive growth. Through it all, he continues to clean house, eliminate waste, and put primacy on restoring public trust in our institutions,” said Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda.
Lacierda said 2013 can be a banner year with “”more reason for Filipinos to travel on the straight path under the leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his noble cause.”
“In 2012, we turned the corner, fixed the damage wrought by the crooked ways of the past, and established further that the straight path is the only way forward. Despite the tragedies that have visited the country in 2012-from natural disasters to the untimely demise of a beloved reformist-the Filipino people have shown that their spirit cannot be broken. As the administration embarks on 2013, there is all the more reason for Filipinos to travel on the straight path under the leadership of President Aquino and the adherents to his noble cause,” he added.
The past year witnessed the Philippines posting an economic growth as high as 7.1 percent in the third quarter.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised the country’s economic growth forecast to 4.9 percent in 2013. The country’s growth path IMF says, backed by sound policy management, enjoys a “solid momentum.”
Likewise, the government assured Pinoys that the growth will soon be felt by everyone through job generation and pro-poor programs.
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also expressed optimism that the country will finally reduce its poverty level with the expansion of government’s investments in social services, alongside respectable economic growth and stable inflation.
However, the impact of such growth has not been the same for everyone.
While some Pinoys have fared well, the poor seem to lack behind and have not been able to capitalize on the potential created by the economy. Economic growth should jobs and industries, people will benefit from. A 7.1 percent growth should lead to millions of new jobs, and higher wages for those already employed.
Our situation is far from dire. Yes, we can do better in terms of inclusive economic performance, but since most of the problems are self-inflicted, the solutions are not too far.
To start the year right, everyone is held responsible to address priorities that not only ensure a solution to the current crisis, but also to prevent its recurrence.
(AJPress)
