Malacañang expressed hope that 2021 would be a year of “healing, recovery, and bouncing back and assured the public that the government is on track in its bid to vaccinate the population against COVID-19.
“We welcome 2021 with renewed hope, courage and inspiration as we bid farewell to 2020, bringing with us its valuable lessons and memories,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in his New Year message.
Roque said for the coming 2021, the government is hoping “to see an end to the pandemic and continue the pursuit for a stronger and healthier Philippines, which would only be realized if the government and citizens would work together to achieve this goal.”
He also assured the Filipino people that negotiations and discussions with vaccine manufacturers are ongoing and tripartite agreements with the government, the private sector, and allied governments are now rolling.
“The earliest rollout of a vaccine is expected in the first quarter of next year (2021). We are indeed on track and this gives us a sense of optimism. We hope to see an end to the pandemic and continue the pursuit for a stronger and healthier Philippines,” he said.
He added that these goals would be realized if the government and citizens would work together to achieve this goal.
The challenges we faced as a nation in 2020 were daunting but because of the resilient Filipino spirit, we fought and carried on,” he added.
2020 saw the nation gripped and pounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and calamities such as the eruption of Taal Volcano, earthquakes, and typhoons.
“Let us, therefore, make the Year 2021 as a year of healing, recovery, and bouncing back. Together and united, we will heal and recover as one,” Roque added.
‘Stay hopeful’
Vice President Leni Robredo urged the Filipino people to stay hopeful and look out for each other amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
In her New Year’s Eve message, Robredo said 2021 was another chance to see the bright side of things in spite of the darkness, including deaths, in 2020.
In her message, all in Tagalog, Robredo said: “Many of us will welcome the New Year without our loved ones who have died, or affected by the loss of livelihood, and comparatively very minimal food on the New Year’s Eve dining table…many aspects of our lives have been altered – at home, in school, in the office and ties with kin and friends, aggravated by different levels of emotion: fear, anxiety and loneliness.”
Political upheavals
Senate President Vicente Sotto III, for his part, said 2020 proved to be “an eventful and difficult year for Filipinos as crises battered the country one after another: A destructive volcanic eruption, a series of typhoons, and an outbreak of a virus that continues to infect thousands by the day.”
He said the crises kept the Senate busy for the year, its members allotting hours for discussions and also crossing party lines to come up with pieces of legislation that they believe would help respond to the people’s needs and address gaps in current policies.
While the end of the COVID-19 crisis remains to be seen, Sotto said he was hopeful that “the darkness will soon be dispelled by the light.”
“In the world, the mad race for the vaccine — it’s discovery, testing, and mass distribution — is nearing the finish line. I share the optimism of the scientists that, soon, we shall be able to live alongside this virus with less sorrow and fear,” he said.
Sotto vowed the Senate would continue to work towards helping the country return to normal.
Relevant laws
House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco himself issued a statement, saying despite the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, the Filipino people must be thankful enough and have something to look forward to in 2021.
Velasco said: “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. As House Speaker, together with your duly-elected Representatives, we did our best to pass timely and relevant laws to alleviate the plight of our people during these trying times. Rest assured we will continue to do so in the coming new year.
“Let us all look to the coming year with renewed hope and inspiration. From all of us here in your House of Representatives, we wish you all a blessed and joyous New Year.”
Bravery extolled
Supreme Court Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta exalted magistrates, judges and court personnel as heroes during the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, along with the health workers and others who are in the frontline of the government’s fight against COVID-19.
In his New Year’s Message, Peralta acknowledged the selfless dedication shown by those in the medical field and the frontline workers, but tribute must also be bestowed to those belonging to the judiciary who steadfastly serve those seeking justice during the public health emergency arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The past year has been a celebration of heroes. I salute all our health workers and our frontliners who continue to our heroes during this crisis. They all have been relentless in going beyond the call of duty to provide their services and look after our well-being,” said Peralta, the 26th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
“I also pay homage to another set of heroes: the magistrates, judges, court officials, and employees who carry on with their unwavering commitment and dedication by going to work each day even during the height of lockdowns,” he added.