Lawmakers wish renewed strength, stronger faith for Pinoys on New Year's Eve

Lawmakers wished more strength for the Filipino people as the whole world ushers in 2021 and bids goodbye to this year which has been full of challenges due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Senator Nancy Binay said the new year is a chance to reset and refocus despite the uncertainties ahead.

"As we start to face the challenges of the new normal, let us seek the Lord's guidance that we may be given the strength in the years to follow as we strive to come out better collectively — as a family, as a nation," she said in a statement.

The year 2020 has taught the people the most valuable things in life, which she said were health, family, and faith.

"Dapat tayong magpasalamat sa lahat ng oras sa Diyos sa Kanyang kaloob na buhay na ibinigay sa atin. There is a deeper reason why we survived 2020," Binay said.

Opposition Senator Leila De Lima said that while the administration took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to allegedly "spread terrors and lies," the Filipino people will overcome the challenges ahead.

“And while the worst may not yet be over, compounded by the economic slump, we will welcome 2021 with renewed strength, as we will be forever reminded of the power of hope and solidarity amid the suffering and grief,” she said in a separate statement.

"The selflessness of our frontliners, disaster responders, volunteers, and ordinary people who, despite their own struggles, remained committed in serving their fellow Filipinos, served as a beacon of hope in the darkest of times," she added.

De Lima, detained in Camp Crame, also urged the public to pray for justice for the victims of human rights violations in the Philippines as they welcome the New Year.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III wished that the faith of the Filipino people will further be strengthened in the coming year.

"Sa aking mga kababayan na nahihirapan at nakararanas ng pighati sa buhay, tibayan niyo ang inyong loob at magtiwala na magiging mabuti din ang buhay sa awa ng ating Panginoon," Sotto said in a separate message.

Ninety-one percent of adult Filipinos are entering 2021 with hope instead of fear, according to a survey conducted by the Social Weather Stations.

This is five percentage points down from 96% in 2019 and is the lowest after 89% in 2009.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco urged the public to "look back and be grateful for the things that we still enjoy and have."

"Let us all look to the coming year with renewed hope and inspiration," he added.

He said he joins the entire nation in hoping that an affordable, safe and effective vaccine against COVID-19 will arrive in the Philippines at the soonest time possible.

"Having a safe and effective vaccine available to Filipinos is currently the best way for us to beat the virus," Velasco said.

Majority Leader Martin Romualdez, for his part, said the Filipino people should continue taking care of one another and never get tired of sharing their blessings with those in need.

"The year ahead may still be full of challenges but with each one of us fulfilling our chosen mission in life, there is no way that we can fail as a nation. With everybody pitching in to the cause of recovery, I am confident of seeing brighter days for all of us," he said.

He added the Fiipino people's "sense of community and love for family, I believe, is the reason why we are able to weather any storm that come our way. This is also what we need to bounce back stronger in year 2021."—AOL, GMA News