Multimedia

Pulse Asia, in its November 2020 Ulat ng Bayan national survey conducted November 23 – December 2, 2020, noted that while 95% of Filipino adults reported awareness of the development of COVID-19 vaccines, a near majority of Filipino adults (47%) would not get vaccinated against COVID-19, because of their concern about the safety of such vaccines (84%). Only about a third of Filipino adults (32%) are willing to be vaccinated.

A series of good news greeted 2021. The government is making progress in arranging supply agreements with top vaccine makers. It has managed to contain Covid-19 cases in the country despite the recent holidays that reunited many of us with our families. And the Philippines continues to enjoy the goodwill of foreign creditors after receiving a stable credit rating from a major debt-rating agency.

President Rodrigo Duterte set a positive message for the new year when he said in his traditional New Year’s address: “With the guidance and grace of the Almighty and the enduring spirit of bayanihan and malasakit, I am confident that we will achieve a stronger and brighter future for our people…”