LAOAG CITY – President Gloria Macagapal-Arroyo reiterated Saturday night the determination of her administration to create more high-paying jobs throughout the country so that before the end of her term in 2010, "Filipinos no longer need to go abroad for a job."

Addressing the 2007 International Quest for Miss Laoag City Pamulinawen at the Centennial Arena here, the President said she wanted "overseas work to be a career of choice and not the only option" for all Filipinos.

"And what do I want to do? I want to create high-paying jobs here at home, here in the north, here in Ilocos Norte, here in Laoag. So that Filipinos no longer need to go abroad for a job. I want overseas work to be a career choice and not the only option for a talented man or a woman in search of a better life," the President stressed.

It was not the first time that President Arroyo announced her ambitious dream for the talented Filipinos. This time, she wants it to be realized soon now that the nation is gearing high towards economic progress and development.

The Miss Laoag City Pamulinawen pageant night is a much-awaited event considered as the top tourist attraction in Laoag.

The month-long festivities also serve as an occasion for all Ilocanos to come back to the Philippines after long years of stay abroad, especially in the United States where most of the Ilocano professionals are working in exchange for big salaries they send to support the financial needs of their families at home.

"You, our balikbayans, our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) are heroes. You contribute much to our nation," the President said, adding it is now time for them to come home, be with their families living in comfort and with dignity right here in the Philippines, right here in Ilocos, right here in Laoag."

The President also cited the effort of the province to establish retirement homes for Balikbayan Ilocanos so that in their years of old age, they can experience the best medical care, the best nursing care in their hometown rather than staying in expensive nursing homes in the United States.

In her speech, the President also told the residents that the government has allocated P22 billion for the improvement of social services such as health, highways and other infrastructure projects, and creation of jobs.

She also announced that as result of the strong peso and the low interest rates, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has approved the release of the first six months tranche of Republic Act No. 7171, otherwise known as the Tobacco Excise Tax Law, to subsidize the province’s infrastructure and social services projects.

"We also go for the release of the first six months worth of R.A. 7171 for the year 2007 for the province and the different cities and towns of Ilocos Norte. And I got a text message before I came here from the secretary of Budget, that he will release this amount this coming Monday. One-half year’s worth will come on Monday," she said.

"Pamulinawen," which means a celebration of Ilocano culture and tradition, marks the official festivities in the annual fiesta of the province. Considered as the top tourist attraction in Laoag, this year’s occasion is themed "Moving Forward."

Among the highlights of the month-long festivities are:

• A civic-military parade on the opening day;
• Pamulinawen street pageantry showcasing the different Ilocano rituals/traditional practices that are presented in a dance drama;
• The "dulang" food festival featuring the culinary skills of Laoagenos and the typical Ilocano cuisine;
• Calesa festival as a tribute to the so-called "Queen of the Streets;"
• Presentation of Comediana Ilocana, a satiric Ilocano play;
• Sarsuela, a song and dance play showcasing the Ilocano prose and poetry;
• Balikbayan nights, a tribute to the Balikbayan Ilocanos for their loyalty and love for their native place;
• International Quest for Miss Pamulinawen, a beauty and brain contest;
• Pamulinawen grand parade; and
• Free medical and dental clinic by the Serbisyo Muna and National Unity Caravan, and mobile passporting services.

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Despite the noise generated by the excitement and furor of the nearing mid-term elections in May, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo remains focused on her job of steering the country towards economic and political stability, according to Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesperson Ignacio R. Bunye.

In his weekly column "The View from the Palace" which comes out tomorrow (Monday), Bunye said that the only major participation of the President during the campaign period would be the "customary grand proclamations of the administration ticket."

"The President has refused to be distracted by the escalating political noise. She intends to stay focused on her job although as titular head of the biggest political coalition, she will have to go through with the customary grand proclamations of the administration ticket. The two big proclamations are scheduled in Manila and Cebu," Bunye said.

"But for the most part, she will be governing: continuing on a path of economic reform, cleaning up our environment, providing better healthcare, investing in education and creating good jobs," he added.

During her visit to Ilocos Norte Saturday, the President stressed her administration’s determination more than ever to improve the economic condition of the country to ensure a better future for all Filipinos.

Some of the reforms initiated by the President to rev up the economy are the Expanded Value Added Tax (E-VAT) Law and the Lateral Attrition Law which imposes sanctions on revenue collection agencies if they do not meet their monthly and annual collection targets.

"Aside from fiscal and financial reforms, the President is also undertaking power and government reforms, including going after tax cheats and cutting bureaucratic red tape," Bunye said.

He said the reforms have generated the necessary funding for the government, "without having to rely heavily on borrowing both internationally and locally," to spend on "a most ambitious infrastructure program launched by a President, with her Super Regions project."

The Super Regions concept is part of the President’s massive investment program designed to sustain economic growth, spread progress to all areas of the country through the Mega-Regions economic development strategy, and propel the Philippines to First World status.

Under the Super Regions strategy, which forms part of the Medium-Term Public Investment Program (MTPIP), the country’s 16 regions have been grouped into four mega-regions, plus another region that cuts across the four mega-regions, to create an enlarged economic landscape based on the natural competitive advantage of these areas.

These are the North Luzon Mega-Region, the Metro Luzon Urban Beltway, the Central Philippines Mega-Region, the Mindanao Mega-Region and the cyber corridor that serves as the cyber link among these four regions.

The Super Regions development strategy, which is also a part of the government’s second phase of economic reforms, has been getting favorable reviews from the business community because it makes the country a more appealing choice for foreign investments.

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