President Rodrigo Duterte is hoping for a “better year” year for the country, as well as “good fortune and renewed strength” as the country welcomes the Year of the Water Tiger amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his Chinese New Year message on Tuesday (Feb. 1), the President noted the nation’s courage, faith, and determination in its resiliency and capability “to build back better.”
“This year of the Water Tiger is hoped to bring us good fortune and renewed strength as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and other challenges that have tested our mettle as a nation,” he said.
“It is my fervent prayer that 2022 will be a better year for all of us, in terms of wealth, health, relationships, and progress,” he added.
Duterte also called on the nation to continue demonstrating “the ideals of bayanihan and malasakit (unity and compassion), especially to those who are most in need.”
“Let us all look forward to more opportunities for growth and prosperity in the New Year and become instruments of peace, harmony, and generosity to all,” he said.
The Chinese New Year this year is celebrated on Feb. 1 which is a special non-working day.
In an executive order on Jan. 25, the Manila government cancelled all public celebrations for the Chinese New Year such as dragon dances, use of firecrackers, and sale and use of liquors to prevent crowding and COVID-19 transmission. -ag
