Marcos calls for solidarity as Filipinos welcome 2023

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Sunday urged Filipinos "to remain steadfast and united" in order for the country to overcome challenges. 

In his New Year message, the President said he joins the Filipino nation in welcoming 2023. 

"As we reflect on the events that transpired in the previous year, I hope that we will draw strength and inspiration from what truly binds us together—our genuine love for our fellow Filipinos and our country," he said.

"This is the essence of our call for unity and the impetus for our continued invitation to work together for the realization of our shared aspirations as people. It is in this understanding that we need, now more than ever, to embody the true meaning of solidarity."

The President cited the Filipinos' "innate bayanihan spirit."

"Together, let us move full-steam ahead towards our goal of giving a better life to every Filipino family. I am confident that, by coming together, we can withstand and overcome all challenges and bring our nation to greater heights," Marcos said.

"As we look forward to a fruitful and hopeful New Year, let us remain steadfast and united as ever as we ask for the Almighty's continued guidance in our journey toward a better, brighter, and more prosperous future for our nation," he added.

New Year’s Day, which falls on Sunday, is a regular holiday, while Marcos declared January 2, 2023, a special non-working day to "help encourage domestic travel and increase tourism expenditures in the country." —VBL, GMA Integrated News