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Monday, July 24, 2006
Arroyo promises economic cure to social ills
MANILA (5:45 p.m.) -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo promised that successful economic reform will cure social divisions and injustice in the Philippines in an address to Congress Monday, as thousands rallied against her.
Arroyo opened her address to the nation with an announcement that 500 more Filipino workers in Lebanon will be brought home in the next few days.
Last Sunday, 200 Filipino workers already arrived in Manila. There are over 10,000 Filipinos believed working in Lebanon at the time of the start of conflict with Israel.
She also thanked legislators who championed severe fiscal reforms amid "dire political consequences".
She said they were the "true friends" of the Filipinos.
Because of them, she said, the country now has money to pay its debts and to build up its economy.
She also thanked internal revenue employees who rose up to the challenge of helping a worsening economy by turning in the biggest tax collection ever.
"We have achieved record revenue collections, we are lining up corrupt officials to face the consequences of their misdeeds," she said, adding the Philippines has "finally earned the respect of the international community after serious and viable stake for our fiscal discipline and billions of pesos in annual interest savings that are now going into necessary public investments."
Arroyo steered clear of divisive political scandals in her annual address to the nation, saying "I am not here to talk about politics, I am here to talk about what people want."
The country is "focused on what the people want, the plan to put us on the path of prosperity," she said.
"We now have the funds to address social inequity and economic disparity," Arroyo said. "We now have the funds to stamp out terrorism and lawless violence."
"Surely there must be a better way to do politics so that those who lose elections do not make the country pay for their frustrated ambition," Arroyo said in a jab at the opposition.
"There must be a better way so that those who win the nation's mandate can work without delay and whimsical obstruction."
In her sixth address since she came to power in 2001, Arroyo also condemned the unsolved killings of hundreds of people, mostly left-wing activists, but most of her speech was focused on building new roads and airports and establishing economic "super-regions" to spur development.
Mega-regions
She said it was time to end the dominance of imperial Manila and give more opportunities to the provinces and the people.
To stress her point, Arroyo presented five-year-old Igorot Jason Balong-ay and his grandfather, who were among those invited to her State of the Nation Address.
Under the mega-grouping, North Luzon will be the agri-business quadrangle, Metro Luzon will be the urban beltway, Central Philippines will focus on tourism, and Mindanao will be the agri-investment capital.
Also under the grouping, North Luzon would cover Regions 1, 2 and Cordillera Administrative Region plus Aurora and Nueva Ecija; Metro Luzon would cover Regions 3 (except Aurora and Nueva Ecija), 4-A, and National Capital Region or Metro Manila; Central Philippines would cover Regions 4-B, 5, 6, 7 and 8; and Mindanao would Regions 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
For Central Philippine, the region would enjoy priority in tourism investments, Arroyo said.
Arroyo noted the "extraordinary hospitality of the people" of the Central Philippines, which is composed of Palawan, Cebu, Bohol, Negros island, and Leyte, among others.
She said these provinces attract more than half of the foreign tourists in the Philippines. She mentioned the world-class Cebu International Convention Center being built in Cebu in time for international summits in December, a landing system for Boracay, good roads in Panay, and alternative fuel projects in other areas.
She promised a central nautical highway to connect Cebu, Masbate, and Bicol.
Arroyo said she places high hopes on Mindanao becoming the agri-investment capital in the south, with its coconut products, high-value crops, and 40 percent of the country's fish catch.
She said the effort of government before 2006 had been geared toward providing Mindanao with the necessary logistics--such as road networks and shipping routes-- crucial in food shipment.
Arroyo cited peace and good governance as two crucial factors to achieving development in Mindanao.
In achieving peace through development, Arroyo thanked the US, European Union, Organization of Islamic Conference, Australia and the rest of the foreign governments and donor organizations that have helped the country in the peace process by providing aid to the poorest Mindanao provinces.
She said that with the peace agreement with Muslim rebels, Mindanao will reap in agri-business and not aggression.
On good governance, Arroyo congratulated Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Vicente Y. Emano and House majority floor leader Prosper Nograles for helping cut down graft and corruption in government contracts during their terms of office.
Arroyo, at the same time, made mention of the double-digit decline of poverty in Sulu, Lanao, and Tawi-Tawi in 2003.
She also cited positive economic changes in the island provinces of Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi, saying that the Jollibee fastfood chain had opened an outlet in Basilan.
Great people
"The Filipinos are great people," said Arroyo.
She acknowledged the Filipino athletes who dominated the recently-concluded 23rd Southeast Asian Games and people's champ Manny Pacquiao for bringing pride to the Philippines in the field of boxing.
Arroyo also recognized Precious Lara Quigaman, who ended the six-year beauty title drought by winning the Miss International 2005 title.
Filipinos even conquered the highest mountain peak in the world, with Leo Oracion and Erwin Emata reaching Mt. Everest, she added.
Old fights
Arroyo also called on her political opponents to give up "old fights" and join her in the battle for the survival of the nation.
"For those who want to pick up old fights, we're game. But what a waste of time. Why not join hands instead?" Arroyo said at the end of her State of the Nation Address Monday.
"Your government is working and working well," she said. In summary, the country enjoyed 22 consecutive quarters of growth, some two million people were freed from poverty and 70 percent of medium-sized business establishments have become optimistic of the country's future, she added.
She announced programs to automate the election process and to give local governments their share of the revenues.
"After three years, 11 months and six days, I shall relinquish the presidency with much if not all that I have outlined, completed," Arroyo said.
Arroyo in a coral gown with a pinkish tone arrived at the Batasan Complex past three in the afternoon together with members of the First family.
Too excited to report to the nation her economic promises, Arroyo proceeded to the rostum after de Venecia introduced her even if it is not her turn yet. She later returned to her seat for the singing of the national anthem and the saying of the nation's prayer. (Sunnex/with AP) |
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