92% of Filipinos hopeful; Palace cites DU30 gains

NINE in 10 Filipinos welcomed the New Year with hope rather than fear, according to the Social Weather Stations (SWS). Survey says 92% of Pinoys are hopeful. Cheers to 2019!

Likewise, Malacañang said that despite some controversies, it sees an exciting year ahead as the gains made possible by President Duterte’s strong leadership will begin to bear fruit.

“DU30 fruits” coming, says Palace. Like “durian”?

SWS said its latest survey [taken Dec. 16-19] showed that 92 percent of adult Filipinos were welcoming 2019 with hope while eight percent were entering the New Year with fear.

Hope springs eternal in our country, it seems.

SWS pointed out hope for 2019 fell four points from the record-high 96 percent in 2017, but stood the same as the 92 percent registered in the years 2008, 2012 and 2015.

Let’s give credit to the resurgence of Pinoys’ hopefulness.

The survey company added those entering the New Year with fear increased by four points from four percent in 2017.

Blame Tokhang and inflation nightmares?

SWS cited that hope for the New Year has always been high, starting at 87 per- cent in 2000, 88 percent in 2001, 95 percent in 2002, 90 percent in 2003, 81 percent in 2004, 85 percent in 2005 and 91 percent to 92 percent from 2006 to 2008, before dropping to 89 percent in 2009.

However, It recovered to 93 percent in 2010 and has since then been at 90 levels, reaching as high as 96 percent in 2017, SWS added.

Meanwhile Malacañang said that despite some controversies bugging the Duterte administration, it sees an exciting year ahead.

DU30’s strong leadership will begin to bear fruit, the Palace claims.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte has demonstrated strong and decisive leadership in advancing the nation’s interests and the people’s concerns since he assumed office.

“2019 will certainly be an exciting year with the following milestones which started this year beginning to bear fruit,” Panelo said of the government’s 2018 accomplishment report.

Panelo cited the return of the historic Balangiga bells in Samar which were seized by American troops in 1901 as war trophies, the agreement between the Philippines and Kuwait that provides legal protection for Filipino migrant workers and the regularization of 411,449 workers.

He also listed the rehabilitation of Boracay, the dec- laration of the Philippine Rise as a marine resource reserve, the establishment of a bank for overseas Filipinos, and improvements in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Panelo also cited landmark legislation on free irrigation, free tuition in 112 state universities and colleges, national mental health policy, a national feeding program for undernourished school children and increased compensation benefits.

DU30 supports social justice measures, he says.

Panelo added that the administration is looking forward to the Philippine National Identification System, the plebiscite for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and a new major player in the public telecommunications.

More to come, he forecasts.

“With all these at the helm, the Duterte administration will certainly enter the new year with enthusiasm and vigor in serving the people. The outpouring of support from Filipinos will continue to inspire this administration to work harder for the benefit of the greater populace,” Panelo said.

Yes to greater service and more benefits for Pinoys.