President  Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday urged the public to help his administration to fight illegal drugs  and crime in 2019 as he joined millions of Filipinos in celebrating New Year’s Day.“We welcome the new year full of hope and optimism… Let us all work hand in hand to defeat the ills of drugs, criminality, and corruption that stunt our development,” Duterte said in his message to celebrate the new year.“I have no doubt that, with our patriotic fervor and with our solidarity as a people, we can overcome the challenges that impede our continued march towards a prosperous and progressive future,” he added.The President said people should “reflect on storied past and learn from its lessons” so they could face the future with more confidence.“Together, let us face all obstacles head-on, armed with the knowledge and brimming with hope that we can triumph over any struggles that we may face as a nation,” the President said, wishing everyone a “blessed and bountiful” new year.Malacañang also echoed the President’s sentiment in wishing the public a peace new year as they welcomed the results of the latest survey showing that majority of Filipinos are hopeful with 2019 even as the latest figure was lower than the record-breaking result last year.The Social Weather Stations (SWS) said nine out of 10 respondents or 92 percent in its latest survey said they enter 2019 with optimism. This was four points below the previous record-high 96 percent for 2018.

READ: Drug war wins nod of most Filipinos

On the other hand, Filipinos entering the New Year with fear increased by four points to 8 percent.

Still, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the latest survey results were a testament that even with the “demolition job” and “the climate of negativity” used against the government in 2018, the majority of the Filipinos remain optimistic under the Duterte administration.The Palace official then cited some developments in government’s policy programs as he believes “there is much to celebrate” even with the imposition of the second round of fuel excise tax increase this year.“The country’s macroeconomic fundamentals remain solid and robust. There is construction everywhere in the National Capital Region with the President’s Build-Build-Build program already in its implementation stage, the crime rate is down, and people now feel safer,” he said.He then expressed confidence that the public will continue to rally behind the government towards genuine change and prosperity.
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