Metro Manila, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appealed to Filipinos to welcome 2026 with discipline, confidence, and unity, urging the public to work together toward national progress.

In his New Year message on Thursday, Marcos emphasized shared responsibility and collective purpose as the country moves into another year.

“As we step into the unfolding days ahead, may we move forward with a clearer understanding of our role in each other’s lives and a renewed commitment to building a future shaped not by circumstance done, but by the strength of our will and the clarity of our collective purpose,” Marcos said.

Marcos said the start of a new year offers Filipinos a chance to reflect on the past, learn from difficulties, and renew their sense of direction.

“The coming of another year is always a moment for reflection and renewal. It gives us the opportunity to look back on the year that has passed–its lessons, challenges, and achievements–and to look ahead with hope and purpose to the possibilities that await us,” he said.

As 2026 begins, the president underscored the importance of discipline and cooperation, noting that individual choices and actions shape the country’s future.

“As we step into 2026, I therefore call on every Filipino to embrace the year with discipline, confidence, and a shared commitment to our nation’s progress. For beyond personal resolutions, the new year calls on us to examine how we live with one another, how we lift one another, and how our choices shape our nation,” he added.

Marcos also reiterated the government’s determination to push for a more united and compassionate society, highlighting moral responsibility as a cornerstone of nation-building.

“A society thrives when its people choose empathy over indifference, service over self-Interest, and hope over despair,” the president said.