Every Filipino has a role to play in making aspirations for the country come true

Every Filipino share the same wish for the country to surmount the threats of global economic crunch and continue to tread the path to economic prosperity so that every Filipino family will be able to experience a better and peaceful life.

As the year 2009 is still new and New Year's resolutions are supposed to be made by every one, it is hope that each and every Filipino will write as one of their resolutions that of doing their part in the fulfillment of the common goal for the Philippines.

For the country to ward of the global economic threats and really continue its economic development, it is prayed that the detractors will include as one of their resolutions that of uniting with the Administration in matters affecting common good.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has always wished, and this is also the wish of every Filipino, for the economic reforms to redound to the economic upliftment of every Filipino – more food in every Filipino family's table, better access to quality education, more opportunities to good paying jobs, easier access to basic social services.

The President is wishing not only economic prosperity for each and every Filipino. She is entrusting the country under the care of the loving hands of God. She is hoping to give dignity to every peace-loving and patriotic Filipino.

It is only in unity that the country will be able to triumphantly ward off the global economic crunch that is threatening to affect the country in 2009.

It is only in unity that the government will be able to make good the programs and projects aimed at cushioning the impact of economic crisis and make people really feel the fruits of the economic growth that never before was made possible.

It is also in unity that the elusive peace the country and its people have been wishing for will be achieved.

This wish will only turn into reality if and when each and every Filipino will do his or her share in making this dream for the country come true.(PIA 8)

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For most Filipinos, the Philippines is not a hopeless country

Aside from the fact that fewer Filipinos consider themselves as poor and food poor, majority of Filipinos see hope in the Philippines and would rather stay in the Philippines than to move to another country.

The latest Pulse Asia survey said that Filipinos have become hopeful of the Philippines this year and a majority of them would not migrate to another country despite the prevailing controversies in the country.

The number of Filipinos who disagree that the Philippines is a hopeless case have increased to 68 percent compared to the 2007 survey result of 54 percent. This sentiment is highly manifested in Mindanao with 75 percent to 79 percent; in urban Visayas with 77 percent; and among government and private sector employees with 75 percent.

What is more noteworthy is the fact that even the Filipino farmers and fishermen disagree that the Philippines is a hopeless country. When asked if the country is hopeless, 77 percent of them, answered no.

Furthermore, the latest survey showed that a majority of Filipinos would decline if given an opportunity to migrate to another country. About 54 percent would rather not leave if given a chance to migrate while only 20 percent said they will. Pulse Asia said that the desire to leave the country has significantly declined compared to the result of the October 2007 survey at 43 percent.

Pulse Asia noted that most people in Luzon and those in the rural areas of the country do not want to migrate.

The survey also noted that the people who are inclined to migrate to another country have college degrees.

This is a good manifestation that the value of patriotism or love of country has not been lost among Filipinos.(PIA 8)

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Fruits of PGMA's anti-hunger, anti-poverty thrusts starting to be felt by the people

The dramatic reduction of the number of Filipinos who consider themselves poor and food poor as reflected in the latest poll survey, is a manifestation that the government's anti poverty and hunger mitigation programs under the Administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo are already starting to be felt by the people.

There is a reason for the President to be happy because the drop in the self-poverty rating of Filipino families from 59 percent to 52 percent is the lowest since the Marcos regime.

But the President, ever a team player, does not claim the credit all by herself saying that "this is the result of a mixed careful planning, economic reforms and the hard work of many people that enabled us to reduce the self-poverty rating."

Everybody knows however, that because of the President's political will, the implementation of harsh but necessary fiscal reforms as well as the intensified poverty alleviation and hunger mitigation program produced positive results for Filipino families despite the current world financial crisis.

The government has implemented tough economic reforms to raise revenues in order to generate additional resources and invest in human and physical infrastructure that will attract more investments.

The effect was that with the investments in infrastructure, more jobs were created which meant that more people are able to buy food for their families.

The investment in infrastructure stimulated the economy and provided a social safety net at a time when it is most needed.

The country is fortunate because it has a cushion in place to help the poor. As the President said, "all of these actions were taken before there was a hint of global crisis and they are serving us so well now." (PIA 8)

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