President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo called today on the Filipino people to perpetuate the spirit of the peaceful 1986 People Power Revolution by renewing their faith in the historic happening and harnessing it to further propel the country’s economic growth in the interest of the future generations.

In her speech after leading this morning’s flag-raising ceremony at the People Power Monument along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), Quezon City, the President said the challenge of people power today calls for initiatives to harness the Filipinos’ energy, unity, and desire for change in the interest of the nation, and not the kind of mass actions that enjoin only noisy street protests and political grievances.

The flag-raising rites marked the culmination of the four-day commemoration of the 21^st anniversary of the peaceful People Power Revolution that toppled the dictatorial rule of then President President Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986.

"Ang ating pambansang hangarin ay naglalayong isulong ang Pilipinas tungo sa higit na katatagan pulitikal, kasaganaan at katiwasayan. Ito ang ating adhikain na higit na nangangailangan ng people power at hindi ang ingay ng protesta at hidwaang pulitikal," the President said.

Citing the successful implementation of fiscal and other economic reforms by her administration, the President thanked the people for their sacrifices and support, saying this resulted in a stronger economy, with more funds for better education and health care, and infrastructure that would attract more investments and jobs.

The President also thanked the local government officials for their confidence and support to her administration in achieving reforms, social justice, and economic development.

"People Power is about the future, not just the past. And I am glad that today we honor those from the past but also those from the present working for the future," the President said.

"And people power is about the heroism of the many who in their daily labors and trust in the Almighty which was a very important characteristic of the 1986 People Power, is about all of them who bear faith in a new Philippines," she added.

After the flag ceremonies, the President led the presentation of the certificates of recognition to several groups that exemplified the spirit of people power in their various undertakings.

These are the Gawad Kalinga, which has established more than 600 villages towards fulfilling its vision of building 700,000 low-cost homes nationwide; Pondo ng Pinoy, a religious group calling on the public to share 25 centavos daily to generate funds for their livelihood and micro financing projects; and the world-class overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their sacrifices, excellence, and increasing dollar remittances that have propelled the economy forward.

The President also presented the Mahal Kong Pilipinas Posthumous Award for the late Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin in recognition of his important role in calling for moral recovery and return to democracy that led to the success of the February 1986 People Power Revolution.

Among those present were former President Fidel V. Ramos, Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, leaders of civil society and religious groups, members of the diplomatic corps, led by Papal Nuncio Fernando Filoni, and Cabinet officials led by Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita.

The President issued Proclamation No. 1224 last January declaring Feb. 22-25 every year as "EDSA People Power Commemoration Week" to perpetuate and propagate the spirit of the historic 1986 event.

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