By Ardelle Costuna and Eimor Santos

For 2012, President Benigno Aquino III’s New Year resolution is for the Filipinos: a promise to further improve the country’s state of economy and alleviate their lives.

In his New Year’s message, Aquino vowed to hasten the fulfillment of change in the country this 2012.

“Ang taon na papasok ay hindi lamang pagpapatuloy ng ating naumpisahang mga reporma, ngunit ng mas mabilis pang pagbabago,” (The coming year will not only be a continuation of the reforms we have started but we hope to speed up change) Aquino said.

He expressed that the country’s current situation has improved after one and a half years of trailing the “matuwid na landas” (straight path).

“Sa mahigit isa’t kalahating taon nang pagbagtas natin sa tuwid na landas, nakikita na natin ang pagbangon ng bansa, mula sa malubhang katiwalian at kahirapan. Unti-unti na po tayong nagtatagumpay laban sa mga problemang ating dinatnan,” (During the past one and a half years we’ve been trailing down the straight path, we can all see the improvements that have been going on, from the rampant corruption and poverty. ) he said.

Amidst the criticisms his administration has been facing, Aquino urged the Filipinos to compare the rampant graft and corruption before to the crises the country has won over today.

“Gaano man po katindi ang pagpipilit na magtanim ng agam-agam sa ating isipan, wala naman po sigurong makakapag-dudang nagbago na talaga ang Pilipinas,” (No matter how much doubts we bear in mind, the Philippines is, undoubtedly, constantly improving.), the head of the state argued.

He added that economic improvements and justice are not only felt by the rich, but of the ordinary Filipinos as well.

“Ngayon po, ibinabalik na natin ang piring ng katarungan. Ang kaunlaran ay natatamasa hindi lamang ng mayaman at makapangyarihan, ramdam na rin ng mas nakakarami nating kababayan,” he went on.

During his July 2011 State of the Nation Address, Aquino seem to have detailed plans of better health programs for the poor, more benefits for the police and the military, cheaper energy source, rice self-sufficiency, more jobs for the Filipinos and a better state of the environment to solve the flooding problems the country experiences during typhoon season.

Despite the promises, Aquino admitted he cannot do it on his own.

He emphasized the importance of the government working hand in hand with the citizens in achieving further developments.

“Sa bayanihan ng ating pamahalaan at mamamayan, wala pong makakahadlang sa ating pag-angat at sa tuloy-tuloy na katuparan ng ating mga pangarap,” (With the cooperation among the administration and the citizens, no one will hinder us in rising up to the challenges and the fulfillment of our dreams) he concluded.