State of the Nation Address

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SSS, Pag-ibig

Jul. 28, 2008 16:48:00

Arroyo cites the Pantawid Pamilya program of government, where SSS pensions and loan availment have increased. She said Pag-Ibig housing loans have also increased, noting an 84 percent increase in first four months alone.

Posted by : Erwin Oliva

Welfare programs

Jul. 28, 2008 16:46:00

Citing Pope Benedict XVI, Arroyo says she's combining programs of government to fight poverty and to create a national welfare program to help people find livelihood, increase pension funds, bring food aid, help child nutrition, increase housing loans, and bring cheaper medicine to the people.

Posted by : Erwin Oliva

Peace talks and poverty

Jul. 28, 2008 16:43:00

Arroyo says the endless Mindanao conflict has contributed to the poverty of this “food basket.” She says the elusive peace in the area is slowly being reached with agreements on the sticky issue of ancestral domain. “Better talk than fight if nothing but sovereign value is lost.”

Posted by : Leo Magno

Mindanao remains impoverished

Jul. 28, 2008 16:42:00

Despite having areas plausible for high production, Mindanao continues to be inhabited by hungry and impoverished people; standing 6th out of the 10 poorest regions in the country. Arroyo attributes this to the ongoing Mindanao conflict she says she wants to end.

Posted by : Erika Tapalla

Microfinancing, rubber, and jatropha

Jul. 28, 2008 16:41:00

Arroyo said government microfinancing has increased to 102 billion with 90 percent repayment. Rubber is also becoming strong in areas like Zamboanga Sibugay and Cotabato. She said jatropha estates are starting in Camarines Sur, General Santos, Samar, among others.

Posted by : Erwin Oliva

Vocational training

Jul. 28, 2008 16:39:00

On the demand side, Arroyo claims to have boosted people's purchasing power. In 2007, 7.74 million people took vocational training courses and she cites a few examples of those who are presently employed in various companies in foreign countries.

Posted by : Erika Tapalla

Central nautical highway

Jul. 28, 2008 16:36:00

Arroyo said government has launched the central nautical highway to cut transport cost in the country. She said government is also repaving airports like the Zamboanga airport to help reduce the cost of transporting goods, such as rice.

Posted by : Erwin Oliva

Transportation and RORO

Jul. 28, 2008 16:35:00

“For farm-to-market roads, we released P6 billion in 2007,” she says. “RORO boats carried 33 metric tons of cargo and 31 million passengers. We have built 39 RORO ports, and 12 more are slated to start.”

Posted by : Leo Magno

Arroyo on agrarian reform

Jul. 28, 2008 16:32:00

"Agrarian reform must raise living standards," Arroyo says, "Former tenants must become empowered by allowing their land to be used as collateral." Arroyo says she wants to abolish the rackets in agrarian reform.

Posted by : Erika Tapalla

For the farmers

Jul. 28, 2008 16:31:00

Arroyo says the government has released 854,000 hectares of farmland, 797,000 hectares of private farmland and certificates of ancestral domain for 525,000 hectares. “Ownership raises the farmer from his knees but productivity will keep him on his feet.”

Posted by : Leo Magno

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2008 ADDRESS

I address you today at a crucial moment in world history.

Just a few months ago, we ended 2007 with the strongest economic growth in a generation. Inflation was low, the peso strong and a million new jobs were created. We were all looking to a better, brighter future.

2007 ADDRESS

We meet here today to inaugurate a new Congress after a fresh election. I congratulate every elected official, from municipal to provincial to Congress on hard fought and successful campaigns.

2006 ADDRESS

Sa araw na ito, nakatuon ang isip natin sa ating mga kababayan sa Lebanon. Nasa kuko sila ngayon ng malagim na paglala ng digmaan. Kahapon lamang, sinalubong natin ang unang dalawang-daang Pilipinong lumikas doon. Limang-daan pa ang mauuwi natin sa susunod na apat na araw.

2005 ADDRESS

Every year, we meet on this day in this great hall to celebrate democracy and take stock of the nation: the country and its condition; the government and its performance; the people and their well-being.

2004 ADDRESS

Angelo de la Cruz is home. We did it! Congratulations to the Filipino people.

2003 ADDRESS

Yesterday, without bloodshed, without damage to property, and within a single day, we overcame an ill-conceived mutiny carried out by misguided military officers.

2002 ADDRESS

In the corridors of power, in the Palace where I work, past presidents of the Republic sit in their portraits in judgment of me. In this gallery of the highest public servants, none sits in sterner judgment than the man who first led me by the hand into the Palace as a teenager.

2001 ADDRESS

Kamakailan, may sumulat sa aking tatlong batang taga-Payatas, sina Jayson, Jomar at Erwin. Ginawa nilang paper boats ang liham at pinalutang sa pasig river patungo sa malacañang.