Philippine president sets new direction for next 6 years

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will put the people first as she sets a new direction for her six-year presidential term.

Arroyo will spell out this in her State of the Nation Address on Monday, the presidential palace said Wednesday in a statement.

Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said the theme of the Arroyo's speech is: "A new direction: Putting people first in an era of change and national renewal."

"The president (Arroyo) will try to convey the vision or program of government for an entire presidential tenure," Bunye said.

Bunye said the Arroyo's program for her entire tenure would be outlined in five groups of executive and legislative proposals covering job creation and economic growth; anti-corruption and good governance; social justice and basic needs; education improvement and youth opportunity; and energy independence, and savings.

A team of advisers and Cabinet men are working on the president's speech for the July 26 event, he added.

Bunye said Arroyo would present the proposed package for job creation and economic growth to a group of businessmen in Makati City on Thursday.

The State of the Nation Address, traditionally delivered on the last Monday of July at the opening of Congress, is the president's assessment of conditions in the country and contains the programs that he or she intends to pursue in the next six years.

Arroyo will deliver her speech at the joint opening of the 13th Congress at Quezon, Metro Manila on Monday afternoon.

Source: Xinhua