Palace gives Duterte credit for PHL being 3rd happiest country in the world

Malacañang on Tuesday gave President Rodrigo Duterte credit over a recent survey that ranked the Philippines the third happiest country in the world.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Filipinos were known for their resilience but added that the poll also proved the positive effects of Duterte’s leadership.

“On the other hand, hope about the country’s economic prosperity and hope about the new year can be attributed to the palpable change our people have felt under the leadership of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte,” Roque said.

“Our economy is one of the fastest growing in the region. The local stock market ended the last trading day of 2017 in an all time-high. Board of Investments-approved investments are record-breaking. The government decisively liberated Marawi. Our people have, indeed, appreciated these changes as reflected in the survey numbers,” he added.

For Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, the news came “even in the bleakest and dire moments” in the country’s history.

“Filipinos have shown their immense capacity for hope and happiness,” Andanar said.

Aside from being third happiest country, the Philippines was also ranked fifth most optimistic about the country’s economic prosperity and ninth most optimistic about the prospects for 2018 in Gallup International’s 41st Annual Global End of the Year Survey.

“The challenge, therefore, is for us in the government to sustain the pace and momentum of our economic growth and bring it to the greatest number of our people,” Roque said.

“In the coming months and years of this administration, we are determined to give greater substance and a more solid foundation for our people’s happiness through a booming economy, effective governance, enduring peace and justice,” Andanar said. —NB, GMA News