Int’l community lauds Phl achievements

MANILA, Philippines - The international community is all praises for the Philippines for its resiliency and achievements in 2012 despite numerous challenges, including destructive natural calamities, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto said yesterday.

In the vin d’honneur at Malacañang with President Aquino and members of the diplomatic community, Pinto expressed his “profound admiration for the Filipino people for their hospitality, optimism and resilience in facing the adversity brought about by the forces of nature, and arising from the events.”

“Giving hope, sharing peace – maybe these are words in times of crisis but they are also for new undertakings,” he said. 

“On the other hand, the framework peace agreement on the Bangsamoro, the Autonomous Region in (Muslim) Mindanao signed by the government of the republic and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front brought clear sky and confidence in the future,” Pinto said.

He said the diplomatic community would like the Philippines to have “excellent” economic performance.

For his part, President Aquino said 2012 was a good year for the Filipino people as economic growth surpassed expectations.

“We witnessed the signing of a peace deal and the restoration of public confidence in our judiciary. 2012 will be a difficult year to match, let alone exceed. Given all that we have achieved in the previous year, I believe we have plenty of reason to greet 2013 with optimism – that the path we have chosen to tread in the last two and a half years will continue to yield positive results for our nation and our region,” Aquino said.

“Though many challenges confront us, we know that, with the Filipino people on our side and with the support of partners overseas, we can make greater strides,” he said.

But Pinto said the country should also reflect on the difficulties in the past year, such as the devastation and deaths caused by monsoon rains and typhoon “Pablo.”

The papal nuncio said the Filipino people demonstrated strength and spirit of sacrifice in dealing with these challenges.