President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo urged today the 117 city mayors nationwide to remain focused on national development as the country prepares to meet the challenges posed by the highly-invigorated ASEAN and East Asia communities.
In her message at the 1st League of Cities National Convention at the Manila Hotel this morning, the President also promised the city mayors that she would remain their partner for development, security and good governance.
"Let us remain focused on the tasks at hand. I shall continue to wait upon your leadership to serve the people," she said, adding that the cities "have become a force to reckon with" in national development as the super regions concept relies much on the best of local leadership and resources.
"Your cities are the hubs whose spokes extend along all points of the compass, to other cities and hubs of prosperity in the region," the President said.
She said the country's economy, which is now on an extended bull run as seen in higher-than-ever overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) remittances, a very strong peso, bullish stock market, low inflation rate, stable interest rates and increasing investments, could be sustained with support from "hardworking and dedicated city mayors."
The President also said that as a result of the economic reform measures implemented by her administration, the budget for social services now is higher than for debt services for the first time in many years.
"We have championed a social agenda that weaves into the spirit of one caring and sharing community that is given a tangible share in the 2007 budget," the President stressed as she urged the city mayors to be her partners in the delivery of enhanced social services to the Filipino people.
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