By Jose Cielito Reganit/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — As the country commemorates its 121st Independence Day, outgoing Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Wednesday urged Filipinos to unite behind President Rodrigo Duterte in the fight against poverty.
In her speech at the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos City, Bulacan, the former President reminded Filipinos that preserving independence, as well as nation-building, is the responsibility of every citizen.
“Fostering independence never ends, and building a free and progressive nation is a never-ending task. Every Filipino reaping the benefits of independence has the duty to protect this freedom not only for his generation but for the succeeding generations as well,” she said in Filipino.
“And in our present time, the people need to be more united under the leadership of President Duterte,” Arroyo said.
With the people’s support, she said she is hopeful the Duterte administration would be able to attain its goal of reducing poverty to 14 percent in 2022.
If Duterte succeeds in achieving this goal, Arroyo said a succession of administrations would have reduced poverty from 39 percent at the start of her term, to 14 percent in just two decades.
According to the Philippines Statistics Authority, the nationwide poverty incidence in the country was at 21 percent in the first half of 2018.
Poverty stood at 26 percent in 2010 at the end of Arroyo’s term.
“Kung makakamit ito, tagumpay ito ng buong henerasyon (If this is achieved, it will be the success of the whole generation),” Arroyo said.
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