Manila, Philippines - President Benigno "PNoy' Aquino III on Monday announced his New Year 2014 message and highlights some notable improvements in the country under his administration. Video and full transcript of his message are available here.
PNoy emphasized his anti-corruption platform 'Tuwid na Daan' for the next year as the key factor for Philippine progress.
"Over the last three (3) years, Transparency International Corruption Index has been improved by 29 notches from rank 134 in 2010 to 105 this 2013.", Aquino said.
A good news from TESDA says more than half million students were able to graduate on their Training for Work Scholarship Program from July 2010 to November 2013.
Aquino also signed this year the annex on power sharing of Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and MILF.
"It is clear: because of efficient and principled leadership—because of good governance, we are destroying the last bastions of corruption, and at the same time, creating more opportunities for our countrymen.", PNoy said.
Here is the full transcript of Aquino's message for the Year 2014 (Tagalog):
Here is the full transcript of Aquino's message for the Year 2014 (Translated in English):
We are once again entering another year of treading the straight path. And, to use an analogy from the sport of basketball, we are also entering the last two minutes: in the remaining chapters of our term, we will not waste a single second; every meaningful contribution of every Filipino will help us to win the fight to achieve true progress.
As a people united by our collective aspirations, we indeed displayed extraordinary spirit throughout this year, despite the challenges that we endured one after the other. We are proud to have achieved so much this 2013. The world continues to have confidence in our fight against corruption, which has led to the growth of our economy: in the past three years, we have jumped 29 notches in the Transparency International Corruption Index: from being the 134th position in 2010, we are now 105th this 2013.
We are also moving closer to obtaining true justice, through the cases filed against those who have committed crimes through the abuse of PDAF. And we will continue to lay down mechanisms that will ensure that the money of the people will be used only for the people.
Also because of good governance, we now have the highest recorded GDP growth in Southeast Asia, as well as one of the highest in the whole of Asia. For the first time ever, the Philippines received investment grade status from the three most renowned credit ratings agencies in the world. Because of this, there will be lower interest on our loans, and more businesses will be encouraged to invest in our country.
This was a historic year for us, also because we successfully synchronized ARMM elections to the national elections. We proved that it is indeed possible to elect leaders safely and peacefully in regions that were, for so long, wrapped in a history of fear and violence.
Just recently, we also signed the annex on power sharing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the MILF. Our goal is to hasten each process, so that we will have enough time to prepare for the election of the new Bangsamoro government in 2016.
It is clear: because of efficient and principled leadership—because of good governance, we are destroying the last bastions of corruption, and at the same time, creating more opportunities for our countrymen.
The good news from TESDA: through their Training for Work Scholarship Program, we have been able to graduate 576,748 students from July 2010 to November 2013. The changes we have made are truly vast: According to the data of the Department of Budget and Management, only 28.5 percent of TESDA graduates found employment from 2006 to 2008. Let us compare this to the TESDA study in 2012 that showed that a general average of 62.4 percent of their graduates were able to find employment. When it comes to the IT-BPM industry, TESDA graduates have an employment rate of 70.9 percent, while their electronics and semiconductor program has recorded an 85 percent employment rate.
Through the cooperation of DOLE, TESDA, DepEd, CHED, and the private sector, we are finding solutions to the job-skills mismatch. Therefore, it is not surprising that the unemployment rate decreased this year. Through the continued implementation of our training and apprenticeship program, vacant jobs in the market are being filled by graduates who possess the necessary knowledge and training.
But, just as it is in basketball, we will continue to face challenges up to the very last second. We know that the dregs of the old system will not disappear easily; as we move closer to our shared triumph, they grow even more desperate, and continue in their attempts to derail our agenda. We also know that there are more calamities in our future—calamities that will again try our stability as a nation. Despite all this, we are always ready to prove: even if corrupt elements try to sow disorder and mistrust, even if we are shaken by earthquakes or battered by typhoons, what will rise above all is our solidarity and strength as a nation.
You, our Bosses, continue to be our guide and our compass. Let us continue to stand and work together arm-in-arm. From the youth, who hope to contribute and do their part in shaping a better society, to our elders, who have the obligation to leave to future generations a brighter, more progressive future—the contributions of each and every one are the key to our achieving our aspirations.
Let us always stand on the side of what is right, and on the side of our countrymen. Let us always stand with justice, honesty, and accountability; and let us always make the most of every opportunity to work for the benefit of the vast majority. After all, we are the only ones who can set our limitations. Our minds remain open, and we are always ready to listen to those with meaningful ideas and proposals that can help to expand and make permanent our reforms.
Through the guidance and love of God, we are truly moving closer and closer to the bright future we aspire to. May we all have a safe, joyful, and peaceful New Year.
PNoy emphasized his anti-corruption platform 'Tuwid na Daan' for the next year as the key factor for Philippine progress.
"Over the last three (3) years, Transparency International Corruption Index has been improved by 29 notches from rank 134 in 2010 to 105 this 2013.", Aquino said.
A good news from TESDA says more than half million students were able to graduate on their Training for Work Scholarship Program from July 2010 to November 2013.
Aquino also signed this year the annex on power sharing of Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and MILF.
"It is clear: because of efficient and principled leadership—because of good governance, we are destroying the last bastions of corruption, and at the same time, creating more opportunities for our countrymen.", PNoy said.
Here is the full transcript of Aquino's message for the Year 2014 (Tagalog):
Mensahe ng Kagalang-galang Benigno S. Aquino III, Pangulo ng Pilipinas Para sa Bagong Taon 2014
[Ika-30 ng Disyembre 2013]
Papasok na naman po tayo sa panibagong taon sa pagtahak sa tuwid na daan.
At kumbaga po sa larong basketball, papasok na rin tayo sa last two minutes: Sa natitirang yugto ng ating termino, wala tayong sasayanging sandali; bawat makabuluhang ambag ng Pilipino ay magpapanalo sa laban natin tungo sa pag-asenso.
Bilang bayan na may kolektibong layunin, nagpakita tayo ng pambihirang gilas ngayong taon sa kabila ng patong-patong na pagsubok na ating pinagdaanan. Talagang marami po tayong napagtagumpayan ngayong 2013.
Patuloy ang kompiyansa ng mundo sa laban natin kontra korupsyon, na nagbunsod sa pag-arangkada ng ating ekonomiya: Sa nakalipas na tatlong taon, umangat tayo ng 29 notches sa Transparency International Corruption Index: mula sa ika-134 na puwesto noong 2010, nasa 105 puwesto na tayo ngayong 2013.
Nalalapit na rin tayo sa pagkamit ng ganap na katarungan sa pag-usig sa nagkasala at umabuso sa paggamit ng PDAF. Patuloy po tayong naglalatag ng mga mekanismo upang siguruhing ang pera ng taumbayan ay mapupunta sa taumbayan lamang.
Dahil din sa ating mabuting pamamahala, tayo na ngayon ang may pinakamataas na recorded GDP growth sa Timog Silangang Asya, at isa sa nangunguna sa buong Asya. Sa unang pagkakataon po, nakamit natin ang investment grade status mula sa tatlong pinakatanyag na credit ratings agencies sa mundo. Bunsod nito, mas mababa ang interes sa perang inuutang natin, at naeengganyong pumasok ang mas maraming negosyo.
Makasaysayan din po ang taong ito dahil matagumpay nating naisakatupatan ang synchronization ng ARMM election sa pambansang halalan. Pinatunayan nating posible alang maging ligtas at payapa ang pagpili ng mga pinuno sa rehiyong matagal nang nabalot ng takot at karahasan.
Kamakailan lang din po, nilagdaan natin ang annex on power sharing ng Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at MILF. Hangad po nating mapabilis pa ang bawat proseso upang magkaroon tayo ng sapat na panahon para makapaghanda sa paghalal ng bagong pamahalaang Bangsamoro sa 2016.
Malinaw po: Dahil sa mas maayos na pamamalakad, natitibag na ang mga huling balwarte ng katiwalian, at patuloy tayong nakakapaglatag ng pagkakataon para sa ating mga kababayan.
Ang good news pa ng TESDA: Sa kanilang Training for Work Scholarship Program, nakapagpa-graduate na tayo ng 576,748 na mag-aaral mula noong Hulyo 2010 hanggang Nobyembre 2013. Talaga naman pong napakalaki ng pagbabagong naabot natin: Ayon sa datos ng Department of Budget and Management, 28.5 percent lang ng mga napagtapos ng TESDA ang nakahanap ng trabaho noong 2006 hanggang 2008. Ikumpara natin ito sa pag-aaral ng TESDA ng 2012,
kung saan umabot na sa 62.4 percent ang general average ng kanilang mga graduate ang nakahanap ng trabaho. Pagdating naman po sa mga nasa industriya ng IT at BPO, 70.9 percent ang employment rate ng TESDA graduates. Sa electronics and semiconductor program naman, umabot na sa 85 percent ng mga nagtapos ang nagkatrabaho.
Sa pagtutulungan din po ng DOLE, TESDA, DepEd, CHED, at pribadong sektor, tinutugunan na natin ang jobs-and-skills mismatch. Kaya naman nakakapagtakang bumaba ang ating unemployment rate ngayong taon. Sa patuloy na pag-arangkada ng ating training and apprenticeship program, napupunan na ang mga bakanteng trabaho sa merkado ng mga graduate nating may sapat na talino at pagsasanay.
At gaya rin po sa basketball, hanggang sa huling yugto ay may hinaharap tayong mga barikada. Batid nating hindi basta-basta titiklop ang mga latak ng lumang sistema; habang lumalapit tayo sa ating tagumpay, lalo rin naman silang magiging desperado at magtatangkang idiskaril ang ating agenda. Alam din po nating mayroon pang mga kalamidad na susubok sa ating katatagan bilang bayan.
Pero lagi nating handang patunayan: manggulo man ang masasamang loob, yanigin man tayo ng lindol o hagupitin ng bagyo, mangingibabaw pa rin ang lakas ng ating bayanihan.
Kayo, ang aming mga Boss, ang nagkukumpas ng direksyong ating tatahakin. Magpatuloy lang po tayo sa pagkakapit-bisig. Mula sa kabataang umaasang makaambag at dumamay sa paghubog ng mas magandang lipunan, hanggang sa mga nakakatanda na may obligasyong magpamana ng maunlad na kinabukasan sa susunod na henerasyon, ang pakikiambag ng bawat isa ang susi sa pag-abot natin sa ating mga mithiin.
Lagi lang po tayong pumanig sa tama at sa ating kapwa. Manatili tayo sa panig ng katwiran, katapatan, at pananagutan; at sagarin ang bawat pagkakataon para sa ikabubuti ng kapakanan ng mas nakararami.
Tayo lang din po ang magtatakda ng sarili nating mga limitasyon. Bukas po ang ating isip at handa tayong laging makinig sa mga makabuluhang mungkahi upang mas mapalawak at maging pangmatagalan ang ating reporma.
Sa gabay at pagmamahal ng Panginoon, talaga naman pong palapit na tayo nang palapit sa magandang kinabukasang ating inaasam.
Isang ligtas, maligaya, at mapayapang Bagong Taon po sa ating lahat.
[Ika-30 ng Disyembre 2013]
Papasok na naman po tayo sa panibagong taon sa pagtahak sa tuwid na daan.
At kumbaga po sa larong basketball, papasok na rin tayo sa last two minutes: Sa natitirang yugto ng ating termino, wala tayong sasayanging sandali; bawat makabuluhang ambag ng Pilipino ay magpapanalo sa laban natin tungo sa pag-asenso.
Bilang bayan na may kolektibong layunin, nagpakita tayo ng pambihirang gilas ngayong taon sa kabila ng patong-patong na pagsubok na ating pinagdaanan. Talagang marami po tayong napagtagumpayan ngayong 2013.
Patuloy ang kompiyansa ng mundo sa laban natin kontra korupsyon, na nagbunsod sa pag-arangkada ng ating ekonomiya: Sa nakalipas na tatlong taon, umangat tayo ng 29 notches sa Transparency International Corruption Index: mula sa ika-134 na puwesto noong 2010, nasa 105 puwesto na tayo ngayong 2013.
Nalalapit na rin tayo sa pagkamit ng ganap na katarungan sa pag-usig sa nagkasala at umabuso sa paggamit ng PDAF. Patuloy po tayong naglalatag ng mga mekanismo upang siguruhing ang pera ng taumbayan ay mapupunta sa taumbayan lamang.
Dahil din sa ating mabuting pamamahala, tayo na ngayon ang may pinakamataas na recorded GDP growth sa Timog Silangang Asya, at isa sa nangunguna sa buong Asya. Sa unang pagkakataon po, nakamit natin ang investment grade status mula sa tatlong pinakatanyag na credit ratings agencies sa mundo. Bunsod nito, mas mababa ang interes sa perang inuutang natin, at naeengganyong pumasok ang mas maraming negosyo.
Makasaysayan din po ang taong ito dahil matagumpay nating naisakatupatan ang synchronization ng ARMM election sa pambansang halalan. Pinatunayan nating posible alang maging ligtas at payapa ang pagpili ng mga pinuno sa rehiyong matagal nang nabalot ng takot at karahasan.
Kamakailan lang din po, nilagdaan natin ang annex on power sharing ng Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at MILF. Hangad po nating mapabilis pa ang bawat proseso upang magkaroon tayo ng sapat na panahon para makapaghanda sa paghalal ng bagong pamahalaang Bangsamoro sa 2016.
Malinaw po: Dahil sa mas maayos na pamamalakad, natitibag na ang mga huling balwarte ng katiwalian, at patuloy tayong nakakapaglatag ng pagkakataon para sa ating mga kababayan.
Ang good news pa ng TESDA: Sa kanilang Training for Work Scholarship Program, nakapagpa-graduate na tayo ng 576,748 na mag-aaral mula noong Hulyo 2010 hanggang Nobyembre 2013. Talaga naman pong napakalaki ng pagbabagong naabot natin: Ayon sa datos ng Department of Budget and Management, 28.5 percent lang ng mga napagtapos ng TESDA ang nakahanap ng trabaho noong 2006 hanggang 2008. Ikumpara natin ito sa pag-aaral ng TESDA ng 2012,
kung saan umabot na sa 62.4 percent ang general average ng kanilang mga graduate ang nakahanap ng trabaho. Pagdating naman po sa mga nasa industriya ng IT at BPO, 70.9 percent ang employment rate ng TESDA graduates. Sa electronics and semiconductor program naman, umabot na sa 85 percent ng mga nagtapos ang nagkatrabaho.
Sa pagtutulungan din po ng DOLE, TESDA, DepEd, CHED, at pribadong sektor, tinutugunan na natin ang jobs-and-skills mismatch. Kaya naman nakakapagtakang bumaba ang ating unemployment rate ngayong taon. Sa patuloy na pag-arangkada ng ating training and apprenticeship program, napupunan na ang mga bakanteng trabaho sa merkado ng mga graduate nating may sapat na talino at pagsasanay.
At gaya rin po sa basketball, hanggang sa huling yugto ay may hinaharap tayong mga barikada. Batid nating hindi basta-basta titiklop ang mga latak ng lumang sistema; habang lumalapit tayo sa ating tagumpay, lalo rin naman silang magiging desperado at magtatangkang idiskaril ang ating agenda. Alam din po nating mayroon pang mga kalamidad na susubok sa ating katatagan bilang bayan.
Pero lagi nating handang patunayan: manggulo man ang masasamang loob, yanigin man tayo ng lindol o hagupitin ng bagyo, mangingibabaw pa rin ang lakas ng ating bayanihan.
Kayo, ang aming mga Boss, ang nagkukumpas ng direksyong ating tatahakin. Magpatuloy lang po tayo sa pagkakapit-bisig. Mula sa kabataang umaasang makaambag at dumamay sa paghubog ng mas magandang lipunan, hanggang sa mga nakakatanda na may obligasyong magpamana ng maunlad na kinabukasan sa susunod na henerasyon, ang pakikiambag ng bawat isa ang susi sa pag-abot natin sa ating mga mithiin.
Lagi lang po tayong pumanig sa tama at sa ating kapwa. Manatili tayo sa panig ng katwiran, katapatan, at pananagutan; at sagarin ang bawat pagkakataon para sa ikabubuti ng kapakanan ng mas nakararami.
Tayo lang din po ang magtatakda ng sarili nating mga limitasyon. Bukas po ang ating isip at handa tayong laging makinig sa mga makabuluhang mungkahi upang mas mapalawak at maging pangmatagalan ang ating reporma.
Sa gabay at pagmamahal ng Panginoon, talaga naman pong palapit na tayo nang palapit sa magandang kinabukasang ating inaasam.
Isang ligtas, maligaya, at mapayapang Bagong Taon po sa ating lahat.
Here is the full transcript of Aquino's message for the Year 2014 (Translated in English):
We are once again entering another year of treading the straight path. And, to use an analogy from the sport of basketball, we are also entering the last two minutes: in the remaining chapters of our term, we will not waste a single second; every meaningful contribution of every Filipino will help us to win the fight to achieve true progress.
As a people united by our collective aspirations, we indeed displayed extraordinary spirit throughout this year, despite the challenges that we endured one after the other. We are proud to have achieved so much this 2013. The world continues to have confidence in our fight against corruption, which has led to the growth of our economy: in the past three years, we have jumped 29 notches in the Transparency International Corruption Index: from being the 134th position in 2010, we are now 105th this 2013.
We are also moving closer to obtaining true justice, through the cases filed against those who have committed crimes through the abuse of PDAF. And we will continue to lay down mechanisms that will ensure that the money of the people will be used only for the people.
Also because of good governance, we now have the highest recorded GDP growth in Southeast Asia, as well as one of the highest in the whole of Asia. For the first time ever, the Philippines received investment grade status from the three most renowned credit ratings agencies in the world. Because of this, there will be lower interest on our loans, and more businesses will be encouraged to invest in our country.
This was a historic year for us, also because we successfully synchronized ARMM elections to the national elections. We proved that it is indeed possible to elect leaders safely and peacefully in regions that were, for so long, wrapped in a history of fear and violence.
Just recently, we also signed the annex on power sharing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the MILF. Our goal is to hasten each process, so that we will have enough time to prepare for the election of the new Bangsamoro government in 2016.
It is clear: because of efficient and principled leadership—because of good governance, we are destroying the last bastions of corruption, and at the same time, creating more opportunities for our countrymen.
The good news from TESDA: through their Training for Work Scholarship Program, we have been able to graduate 576,748 students from July 2010 to November 2013. The changes we have made are truly vast: According to the data of the Department of Budget and Management, only 28.5 percent of TESDA graduates found employment from 2006 to 2008. Let us compare this to the TESDA study in 2012 that showed that a general average of 62.4 percent of their graduates were able to find employment. When it comes to the IT-BPM industry, TESDA graduates have an employment rate of 70.9 percent, while their electronics and semiconductor program has recorded an 85 percent employment rate.
Through the cooperation of DOLE, TESDA, DepEd, CHED, and the private sector, we are finding solutions to the job-skills mismatch. Therefore, it is not surprising that the unemployment rate decreased this year. Through the continued implementation of our training and apprenticeship program, vacant jobs in the market are being filled by graduates who possess the necessary knowledge and training.
But, just as it is in basketball, we will continue to face challenges up to the very last second. We know that the dregs of the old system will not disappear easily; as we move closer to our shared triumph, they grow even more desperate, and continue in their attempts to derail our agenda. We also know that there are more calamities in our future—calamities that will again try our stability as a nation. Despite all this, we are always ready to prove: even if corrupt elements try to sow disorder and mistrust, even if we are shaken by earthquakes or battered by typhoons, what will rise above all is our solidarity and strength as a nation.
You, our Bosses, continue to be our guide and our compass. Let us continue to stand and work together arm-in-arm. From the youth, who hope to contribute and do their part in shaping a better society, to our elders, who have the obligation to leave to future generations a brighter, more progressive future—the contributions of each and every one are the key to our achieving our aspirations.
Let us always stand on the side of what is right, and on the side of our countrymen. Let us always stand with justice, honesty, and accountability; and let us always make the most of every opportunity to work for the benefit of the vast majority. After all, we are the only ones who can set our limitations. Our minds remain open, and we are always ready to listen to those with meaningful ideas and proposals that can help to expand and make permanent our reforms.
Through the guidance and love of God, we are truly moving closer and closer to the bright future we aspire to. May we all have a safe, joyful, and peaceful New Year.
