Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — President Rodrigo Duterte wished Filipinos a meaningful and fruitful New Year celebration.
Enjoy the revelries “by demonstrating love, solidarity, understanding, happiness, and optimism” — not only for personal growth — but also for the development of the nation, Duterte said in a statement on Saturday.
Despite the various criticisms faced by the administration, the President assured the public the government will not lose sight of issues that matter most.
“We, in the government, will remember because it is our solemn duty to evaluate our work and make sure that its gains redound to the common good,” he said.
Duterte invited Filipinos to be partners of the government in its fight against illegal drugs, criminality, and corruption.
“Let us all welcome 2017 with renewed determination and a reinvigorated spirit so we can surmount the challenges ahead,” he said.
The President will be spending New Year with his family in Davao City.
