President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo's New Year Message

PRESIDENT GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO' S


NEW YEAR¡¯S MESSAGE

December 29, 2009



We thank the Lord for all the things He brought into our lives the past 365 days. The challenges He allowed us to encounter have proven once again the resilience of our people and the efficacy of our reforms.



The global recession failed to break our unprecedented record of economic growth in every quarter during our watch. Our economy continued to grow. The size and strength of our domestic economy was supported by OFW-fuelled consumer spending and a massive government commitment to human and physical infrastructure ¨C one that stretched, but did not swamp, public resources.



Our people responded with grit to the super-typhoons forced upon us by the harsh realities of climate change caused by human beings all over the world. Our people opened hearts and hands with generosity to the victims. They committed to national reconstruction, and brought our demands on climate change to the whole world.



We emerge from the year 2009 with more solid faith, more courage, more concern for our brethren, and greater determination to work harder to achieve ever more.



In 2010, we shall have the first nationally-automate d exercise of our right to suffrage, one of the ten points in the agenda of our administration. This year, too, will hopefully see the continuing recovery of the rest of the world. These are gifts from an unfolding future that we greet with hopefulness.



In this spirit, let us cast away the things that set us against each other. Let us thank the Lord for good health, glad tidings and good cheers. Let us thank Him for all the times He has been there for us through family, friends and even strangers who stood by us in good times and in bad. Let us ask for His graces and blessings as we start another year. And as we continue and go on with the many journeys of our nation¡¯s life, let us offer to Him our nation.



Happy New Year to everyone!

:)