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MAINTAINING OUR LINKS WITH FILIPINOS IN NORTHEASTERN AMERICA

Speech of His Excellency
President Joseph Ejercito Estrada
Filipino-American Community
of Northeastern USA
Grand Ballroom, Waldorf-Astoria, New York
8:00 p.m., July 29, 2000
(TAGALOG) MAGANDANG GABI SA INYONG LAHAT,
(ILOCANO) NAIMBAG NGA ARABI-I-KADA KAYO AMIN.
(ILONGGO) MAAYONG GAB-I SA INYONG TANAN.

(CEBUANO) MAAYONG GAB-I KA-NINYONG TANAN.

(BICOL) DIYOS MARAY NA BANG-GI SA INDO GABOS.

(WARAY) MAUPAY NGA GAB-I IYO TANAN

(CHAVACANO) BUENAS NOCHES A TODOS HERMANOS Y HERMANAS.

(KAPAMPANGAN) MAAYAP A BENGI MGA KABALEN.

(MUSLIM) ASALAM ALAIKUM.

ISANG MASAYANG PAGBATI ANG IPINAA-ABOT KO SA LAHAT NG MGA MINAMAHAL KONG KABABAYAN MULA SA NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, CONNECTICUT, PHILADEPHIA, AT IBA PANG BAHAGI NG NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES. AKO AY LUBOS NA NAGAGALAK NA MAKASAMA KAYO SA GABING ITO, AT ANG UNANG GINANG AT AKO, KASAMA ANG MGA KASAPI NG AKING DELEGASYON, AY NAGPAPASALAMAT SA INYONG MAINIT AT MASIGLANG PAGSALUBONG AT PAGTANGGAP SA AMIN.

I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND OUR WARM WISHES ANG GREETINGS TO ALL OF YOU WHO NOW SERVE AS PERMANENT AND RESIDENT AMBASSADORS OF GOODWILL OF OUR PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY, KASAMA NA IYONG MGA TNT.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND MY GREETINGS TO AMBASSADOR AND MRS. THOMAS HUBBARD. AS YOU MAY KNOW, AMBASSADOR HUBBARD IS ONE OF THE MOST LOVED AMBASSADORS IN THE PHILIPPINES. HIS CHARMING WIFE, JOAN, IS EQUALLY ADMIRED FOR HER MANY CHARITABLE WORK IN OUR COUNTRY. THIS COUPLE HAS SO TRAVELED EXTENSIVELY THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTRY THAT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN TO MORE PLACES IN THE PHILIPPINES THAN MANY OF US FILIPINOS. IN FACT, THEY HAVE SO LOVED THE PHILIPPINES THAT THEY ARE FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO END THEIR TOUR OF DUTY THERE.

I ALSO GREET AMBASSADOR ERNIE MACEDA WHO HAS BEEN A VERY OUTSTANDING AMBASSADOR. HE WORKED HARD TO MAKE MY VISIT HERE A BIG SUCCESS. ON THE OTHER HAND, HE MAY SOON BE LEAVING HIS POST IN THE UNITED STATES. KNOWN AS "MR. EXPOSE" TO MANY OF US, HE WOULD LIKE TO ONCE AGAIN ASSUME A FIGHTING STANCE AS A COMEBACKING SENATOR NEXT YEAR.

LIKEWISE, I COMMEND FINANCE SECRETARY JOSE "TITOY" PARDO AND TRADE AND INDUSTRY SERETARY MAR ROXAS FOR ATTRACTING INVESTORS AND SEALED VARIOUS AGREEMENTS FOR THEM TO ESTABLISH BUSINESS IN THE PHILIPPINES. THEY REALLY WORKED HARD TO ORGANIZE INVESTORS FOR BADLY NEEDED FOREIGN CAPITAL TO COME TO OUR COUNTRY.

THIS EVENNG WILL NOT BE COMPLETE IF WE DO NOT RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS OF THE CORE GROUP OF ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE MEN AND WOMEN BEHIND THEM, WHO WORKED HARD AND LATE, SO THAT WE CAN SPEND THIS EVENING TOGETHER.

NAIS KONG PASALAMATAN ANG PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL SA PANGUNGUNA NG ATING CONSUL GENERAL NA SI LINGLING LACAN-LALE, ANG KANYANG ASAWANG SI DR. ERIC LACAN-LALE, ANG IBA PANG MGA KAWANI NG KONSULADO, AT ANG IBA'T IBANG FILIPINO ORGANIZATIONS NA NAGKAISA UPANG MAGKASAMAMA TAYO NGAYONG GABI.

KABILANG DITO ANG PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMITTEE SA PAMUMUNO NI ALAN BRITANICO, THE PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN COMMUNITIES EXECUTIVE COUNCIL NA PINANGUNGUNAHAN NI JULIET PAYABYAB, THE FILIPINO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF GREATER PHILADELPIA UNDER JOE MAGANA, THE PHILIPPINE-AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP COMMITTEE SA ILALIM NI SONIA BALANDRA, THE PHILIPPINE DAY ORGANIZING COMMITTEE SA PAMUMUNO NI ABRAHAM AQUINO, AT ANG FEDERATION OF FILIPINO-AMERICAN ASSOCIATIONS IN CONNECTICUT, PANGUNGUNA NI ARNIE ROSARIO.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THREE SPECIAL PEOPLE WHO DO US PROUD BY THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS. BERGEN COUNTRY MAYOR BOB RIVAS, THE ELECTED FILIPINO-AMERICAN MAYOR IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, AND DEPUTY MAYORS LINDA MAYO AND ADOR EQUIPADO OF JERSEY CITY, WHO CONTINUOUSLY SEE TO IT THAT THE INTERESTS OF THEIR FILIPINO-AMERICAN CONSTITUENTS ARE ALWAYS PROPERLY ADDRESSED.

NAIS KO RING PASALAMATAN ANG FILIPINO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY NG NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AT PHILADELPHIA SA KANILANG MATAGUMPAY NA PAGDIRIWANG NG ATING ARAW NG KALAYAAN NOONG NAKARAANG HUNYO. I WAS TOLD THAT HERE IN NEW YORK, FIRST LADY HILARY RODHAM CLINTON AND CONGRESSMAN RICK LAZIO CELEBRATED WITH US, TOGETHER WITH MAYOR RUDOLPH GUILLIANI.

I AM MOST ESPECIALLY PLEASED TO SEE OUR VETERANS TONIGHT: SILA ANG MGA BAYANING PINAGKAKAUTANGAN NATIN NG LOOB AT HINDI NATIN MAAARING MAKALIMUTAN DAHIL SA KANILANG MALASAKIT SA ATIN GBAYN. DALA NILA AT NINYO DITO NGAYON ANG MAYAMANG TRADISYON AT KASAYSAYAN NG ATING PAGKABANSA. WE MUST ENRICH THESE TRADITIONS HERE AS A PEOPLE DISTINCTLY PROUD OF OUR RACE.

I AM AWARE THAT THOUSANDS OF FILIPINO VETERANS ARE STILL WAITING FOR THE BENEFITS THEY WERE PROMISED FOR THEIR SERVICE IN THE SECOND WORLD WAR. THE PHILIPPINE GOVERNMENT FULLY SUPPORTS THEIR CAUSE AND WE WILL NEGOTIATE FOR THE FULL RECOGNITION OF THEIR RIGHTS. IN FACT, IN MY MEETING WITH PRESIDENT CLINTON LAST THURSDAY, HE PROMISED TO EXTEND FULLEST ASSISTANCE TO THE CAUSE OF OUR HIGHLY DESERVING VETERANS. PRESIDENT CLINTON SAID THAT, ALTHOUGH THE NECESSARY LEGISLATION HAS NOT YET BEEN PASSED BY THE U.S. CONGRESS, HE HAS ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS TO DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF LAW TO IMPROVE THE BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO FILIPINO VETERANS.

IT IS ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE TO BE WITH FELLOW FILIPINOS OVERSEAS, FOR YOUR SENTIMENTS EVOKE MORE THAN JUST A PASSING INTEREST IN THE AFFAIRS OF YOUR COUNTRY AND THE WELL-BEING OF YOUR KABABAYANS.

IT IS AMONG FILIPINOS OVERSEAS THAT I FIND MANY MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE INTENSELY DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF THEIR MOTHER COUNTRY. IT IS AMONG YOU THAT I DERIVE ONE OF MY BIGGEST INSPIRATION TO MAKE OUR COUNTRY SUCCEED SO THAT THERE MAY BE MORE RERASONS FOR YOU TO COME BACK, AND FOR OTHERS TO REMAIN AT HOME.

IN ADDITION, WE ARE PROUD THAT YOU HAVE PROMOTED FILIPINO CULTURE AND TRADITIONS AMONG YOURSELVES AND WITHIN MAINSTREAM AMERICA. ABOVE ALL, I THANK ALL OF YOU FOR KEEPING THE BOND THAT BINDS US TO EACH OTHER.

THIS IS WHAT I HAVE COME TO SAY TO YOU IN AMERICA. I AM HERE NOT JUST TO COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR GOOD WORK IN PRESERVING YOUR FILIPINO HERITAGE. I AM HERE TO TELL YOU, AND ALL OUR AMERICAN FRIENDS, ABOUT WHERE THE PHILIPPINES IS HEADED AND WHAT YOU ALL CAN DO TO HELP US GET THERE. BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, LET ME FIRST SHARE WITH YOU MY EXPERINCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE THE OTHER DAY.

I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH THE WARMTH AND HOSPITALITY ACCORDED ME BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE MOST POWERFUL COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. I COULD NOT POSSIBLE ASK FOR MORE SINCE HE VIRTUALLY BECAME MY TOURIST GUIDE AT THE WHITE HOUSE. NEITHER CAN I FIND THE RIGHT WORDS TO THANK PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR THE PERSONAL ATTENTION HE HAD SHOWN ME AND THE MEMBERS OF MY DELEGATION IN OUR MEETING WITH HIM, WHICH WAS EXTENDED BY AN ADDITIONAL HOUR. IN MY MEETING WITH THE FILIPINO STAFF IN THE WHITE HOUSE, PRESIDENT CLINTON INTRODUCED EACH OF THEM TO ME LIKE THEY WERE PART OF HIS FAMILY. INDEED, I WAS VERY PROUD OF THE PRAISE GIVEN BY PRESIDENT CLINTON TO HIS FILIPINO HOUSEHOLD STAFF.

I COULD PERHAPS DESCRIBE THAT DAY IN WASHINGTON AS THE MOST MEANINGFUL OFFICIAL VISIT I EVER HAD SINCE I BECAME PRESIDENT. INDEED, THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT WAY TO START THE THIRD YEAR OF MY PRESIDENCY.

I USED TO BE A REAGAN ADMIRER. AFTER LAST THURSDAY, I HAVE BECOME A CLINTON CONVERT AND NOW, I'M SUSPECTED OF BEING A DEMOCRAT.

I KNOW THAT MANY OF YOU ARE ANXIOUS TOHEAR ABOUT THE PRESENT STATE OF AFFAIRS OF THE PHILIPPINES. YOU HAVE HEARD FROM OTHERS ABOUT WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE HAPPENING IN THE PHILIPPINES. NOW, IT IS TIME THAT YOU HEAR DIRECTLY FROM ME.

ALAM KONG KAHIT KAYONG LAHAT AY NASA MALAYONG LUGAR , AN INYONG MGA PUSO'T ISIPAN NASA PILIPINAS PA RIN. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED OVER THE EVENTS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE BACK HOME, SUCH AS THE CONFLICT IN MINDANAO. I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERNS, AND I WELCOME THIS VISIT AS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO CLARIFY MATTERS.

SUBALIT' BAGO KO ITO GAWIN, HINIHILING KO LAMANG SA INYO NA HUWAG SANA KAYONG PADADALA SA MGA GRUPONG NAGSASAGAWA NG DISINFORMATION CAMPAIGNS PARA SIRAAN ANG AKING PAGDALAW DITO SA ESTADOS UNIDOS. HINDI KO NA IYAN PINAPANSIN DAHIL ALAM KO NAMANNA MAS MADALI ANG MAGBATIKOS KAYSA GUMAWA AT ANG KNAILANG PANINIRA AY WALANG BASEHAN AT GAWA-GAWA LAMANG NG MGA AYAW AKONG MAGTAGUMPAY.

BALEWALA SA AKIN ANG KANILANG MGA PAGPUNA AT PANINIRA DAHIL ANG MAS MAHALAGA PARA SA AKIN AY MAGPATULOY ANG PAG-UNLAD NG KABUHAYAN NG ATING MGA KABABAYAN, LALUNG-LALO NA ANG MAHIHIRAP. ANG INIISIP KO NA LAMANG AY PARA DIN YANG SA PELIKULA: ANG BIDA AY NAGPAPABUGBOG MUNA SA UNA, PERO SA BANDANG HULI AY SIYA RIN ANG PANALO.

AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE LAND, I MUST DO WHAT I AM SUPPOSED TO DO FOR THE GREATER BENEFIT OF THE GREATEST NUMBER OF OUR PEOPLE. I WAS ELECTED BY AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES THAT WILL ADVANCE THE NATIONAL INTEREST AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF ALL CITIZENS, ESPECIALLY THE POOR AND THE LESS PRIVELGED.

THIS IS THE REASON WHY THE FILIPINO MASSES HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FROM THEIR GOVERNMENT. THIS IS ALSO THE REASON WHY WE ARE DEALING WITH THE CORRUPT, THE CRIMINALS, AND THOSE WHO VIOLENTLY ASSAULT THE REPUBLIC IN THE STRONGEST MANNER ALLOWED BY LAW. THEY STAND IN THE WAY OF OUR PEOPLE AND THEIR DREAMS OF A BETTER LIFE, SO WE MUST REMOVE THEM IN ORDER TO REALIZE THOSE DREAMS.

HOWEVER, I ASSURE YOU THAT THE SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES IS UNDER CONTROL. MY ADMINISTRATOIN WILL ALWAYS STAY COMMITTED TO DEMOCRACY, TO POVERTY ALLEVIATION, AND TO ECONOMIC REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT. I DID NOT BECOME PRESIDENT TO PRESIDE OVER THE DISMEMBERMENT OF OUR COUNTRY. WE ARE ONE NATION AND THIS CAN NEVER BE COMPROMISED.

WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN MINDANAO DOES NOT REFLECT THE GENERAL PEACE AND ORDER SITUATION IN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY. WE MUST ALSO REALIZE THAT UNLESS PEACE REIGNS IN OUR LAND, WE CAN NEVER CREATE A CLIMATE THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC GROWTH. THIS IS THE REASON WHY I ASSUMED A FORCEFULSTAND AGAINST SECESSIONIST AND BANDIT GROUPS WHO HAVE GONE FAR ENOUGH. WE HAVE TO REMIND THEM THAT IN OUR COUNTRY, WE SUBMIT TO ONE FLAG ONLY, ONE CONSTITUTION, ONE GOVERNMENT, AND ONE ARMED FORCES.

WHEN I TOOK OFFICE, I SWEAR TO PRESERVE AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION. IT WAS MY SOLEMN DUTY UNDER THAT CONSTITUTION TO REPEL THE ARMED REBELLION AND TO DEFEND THE SOVEREIGNTY AND INTEGRITY OF THE REPUBLIC.

I BELIEVE THAT THE MINDANAO PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED ONLY BY A COMPREHENSIVE POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL APPROACH, WHICH I AM MOST WILLING TO UNDERTAKE. WE WILL CONVERT MINDANAO INTO THE MAIN FOOD BASKET OF THE PHILIPPINES, AN AGRICULTURAL PARADISE AND A BOOMING MANUFACTURING BASE. WE WILL DO ALL OF THESE BEFORE I STEP DOWN AS PRESIDENT IN THE YEAR 2004.

WHEN I RAN FOR THE PRESIDENCY IN 1998, I CAMPAIGNED ON A FLATFORM OF GROWTHWITH EQUITY. THESE TWIN OBJECTIVES WERE BASED ON MY BELIEF THAT GROWTH IS A PRECONDITION FOR POVERTY REDUCTION AND IMPROVEMENT IN THE STANDARD OF LIVING. MOREOVER THE FRUITS OF ECONOMIC GROWTH SHOULD BE EQUITABLY SHARED.SUBALIT MARAHIL AY NATATANDAAN NINYO NA NANG AKO AY NAUPO BILANG PANGULO, NASA KALAGITNAAN TAYO NG KRISIS PINANSIYAL SA ASYA. BUKOD DITO, WALANG LAMAN NOON ANG KABAN NG BAYAN, AT KAILANGAN PA NATING MAGBAYAD NG UTANG NA MINANA NG AKING ADMINISTRASYON. KOKONTI ANG PONDO, MALAKI ANG PROBLEMA SA PANANALAPI, AT KULANG NA KULANG SA KAPITAL. KAYA ANG NASABI KO SA AKING SARILI NOON, ANO BA ITONG NAPASUKAN KO?

PERO HINDI AKO NAWALAN NG LAKAS NG LOOB, NAGTIPID TAYO AT NAG-IPON NG SALAPI. AT SA DALAWANG TAON NG AKING PANUNUNGKULAN BILANG PANGULO, NASIMULAN NATING IPATUPAD ANG ISANG PRO-POOR AGENDA NA NAGHAHANGAD NA TUGUNAN ANG MGA PANGUNAHING PANGANGAILANGAN NG BAWAT PILIPINO, TULAD NG PAGKAIN O FOOD SECURITY, PABAHAY O MASS HOUSING, AT PAGKAKAROON NG KATAHIMIKAN O PEACE AND ORDER.

IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF MY PRESIDENCY, OUR AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION HAS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED. THE HOUSING PROGRAM IS NOW MOVING AND I HAVE MADE A PROMISE THAT BY THE END OF MY TERM, ANG MGA BAGONG BAYANI NG ATING PANAHON - ANG MGA GURO, PULIS, SUNDALO AT OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS - AY LAHAT SILA AY MAY SARILI NANG TAHANAN. DATI-RATI, SUNOD-SUNOD ANG MGA KIDNAPPINGS, BANK ROBBERIES AT HOLD-UPS LALO NA SA METRO MANILA, PERO HINDI NA KAYO MAKAKABASA NG GANITONG MGA PANGYAYARI SA MGA PAHAYAGAN NGAYON. KAYA LAMANG AY MUKHANG NALIPAT YATA ANG KIDNAPPINGS SA MINDANAO SA KAGAGAWAN NG MGA ABU SAYYAF.

WE CONTINUE TO EMBARK ONPROGRAMS THAT WILL ENSURE THE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF ECONOMIC GROWTH. OUR VISION TO ALLEVIATE THE PLIGHT OF THE POOR IS TRANSLATED INTO PROGRAMS OUTLINED IN THE MEDIUM-TERM DEVELOPMENT PLAN, WHICH WE HAVE CALLED "ANGAT PINOY 2004".

IN THE FIRST DAY OF MY OFFICIAL VISIT TO THE U.S., I FEEL THAT WE HAVE ALREADY ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL.
MY MEETINGS WITH CHIEF I.T. OFFICERS FROM SILICON VALLEY AND MCLEAN, VIRGINIA HAVE RESULTED IN THE SIGNING OF SEVERAL AGREEMENTS. WHEREIN WE WERE ABLE TO ATTRACT MAJOR INVESTMENTS BECAUSE OF OUR HIGH LEVEL INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY WORKERS. LAST NIGHT, I ASSURED BUSINESSMEN AT THE DINNER HOSTED BY THE ASIA SOCIETY THAT THE CLIMATE IN THE PHILIPPINES IS MORE CONDUCIVE THAN EVER TO FOREIGN INVESTMENTS.

OUR MEETINGS WITH CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS WERE HIGHLIGHTED BY THEIR HEIGHTENED INTEREST IN THE SITUATION IN MINDANAO. I TOLD THEM THAT WE HAD TO DEMOLISH THE REBELS APPARATUS FOR MAKING WAR IN ORDER TO ENSURE PERMANENT PEACE IN THE FUTURE. I THINK I CONVINCED THEM THAT WE DID NOT CHOOSE THE MILITARY OPTION BUT IT WAS FORCED UPON US, WE USED IT AND WE SUCCEDED.

PRESIDENT CLINTON AND I, TOGETHER WITH OUR RESPECTIVE DELEGATIONS, HELD EXTENSIVE TALKS TO ADVANCE COOPERATION BETWEEN THE PHILIPPINES AND THE UNITED STATES. OUR DISCUSSIONS COVERED DEFENSE AND SECURITY, ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION, TRADE AND INVESTMENT, AS WELL AS OTHER SUBJECTS.

WE HAVE A LOT TO DO FOR OUR COUNTRY, AND IN THIS ENDEAVOR I NEED THE ASSISTANCE OF EACH AND EVERY FILIPINO, WHETHER IN THE FILIPINOS OR ABROAD. MY ADMINISTRATION WANTS TO BUILD ON THE TRADITION OF SERVICE AND CIVIC ACTION OF OUR FILIPINO COMMUNITIES ABROAD. IN AMERICA, FURTHERMORE, YOU BELONG TO THE LARGEST, BEST ESTABLISHED, AND MOST TALENTED OF ALL OUR OVERSEAS FILIPINO COMMUNITIES. IN THIS AGE OF THE INTERNET AND INSTANT COMMUNICATIONS, YOU CAN ALSO PLAY A BIGGER ROLE IN AIDING PHILIPPINE PROGRESS THAN ANY GENERATION OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS BEFORE YOU HAD DONE.

I AM HAPPY TO NOTE THAT HERE IN THE NORTHEAST, YOU ARE GENEROUSLY HELPING IN THIS EFFORT THROUGH YOUR ASSISTANCE FOR SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN THE PHILIPPNES, PARTICULARLY THE POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAM OF THE PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL. CONSUL GENERAL LACAN-LALE HAS REPORTED TO ME THAT YOUR DONATIONS HAVE ALREADY EXCEEDED 40,000 DOLLARS.

BACK HOME, SEVERAL PROJECTS HAVE BEEN CONCEIVED THAT WE HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORT.

FIRST IS THE "PC'S FOR PHILIPPINE PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS" PROJECT OF THE COMMISSION ON FILIPINO OVERSEAS (CFO). THIS A JOINT GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVE TO GENERATE DONATIONS FOR 50,000 PERSONAL COMPUTERS FOR MORE THAN 4,000 PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS. YOU WOULD WELCOME KABABAYANS IN AMERICA TO JOIN US IN THE WORTHY PROJECT.

SECOND, WE HAVE PREPARED A PHILIPPINE SECTORAL DEVELOPMENT AND NEEDS PROFILING SYSTEM TO HELP OVERSEAS FILIPINOS DIRECT THEIR ASSISTANCE TOWARDS THE MOST NEEDY AND MOST DESERVING RECEPIENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL HELP US IMPLEMENT THIS SYSTEM AMONG FILIPINO ASSOCIATIONS HERE IN AMERICA.

THIRD, WE WOULD LIKE FILIPINOS IN THE UNITED STATES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE "INFO 2000: TIPANAN SA MAYNILA CONFERENCE," WHICH WILL BE HELD THIS COMING DECEMBER, OUR ANNUAL "MONTH OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS." IN DECEMBER ALSO, I WILL ALSO BE GIVING THIS YEAR'S PRESIDENTIAL AWARDS FOR FILIPINO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS OVERSEAS IN MALACANANG. I EXPECT TO RECEIVE A STRONG CONTINGENT FROM AMERICA DURING THAT EVENT, WHICH IS OF SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE SINCE THE YEAR 2000 HAS BEEN DESIGNATED AS "THE YEAR OF OVERSEAS FILIPINO WORKERS."

IN THIS LIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO SALUTE YOU, OUR KABABAYANS HERE IN THE NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, FOR MAINTAINING YOUR LINKS WITH OUR HOMELAND, AND FOR YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS AND YOUR EMERGENCE AS A POLITICAL FORCE IN THE UNITED STATES. IN DEED, WE CELEBRATE THE PRIDE THE SUCCESS OF OUR COUNTRYMEN, BOTH IN PRIVATE FIELDS AND IN HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE ELECTIVE POSITIONS IN THE AMERICAN GOVERNMENT. THEIR SUCCESS IS OUR COLLECTIVE SUCCESS, FOR THEIR ACCOMPLISHMENTS WOULD NO HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE FILIPINO-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.

YOUR EMERGENCE IN U.S. CIVIC LIFE IS A FITTING CULMINATION OF THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP THAT BINDS THE PHILIPPINES AND THE UNITED STATES. I, THEREFORE, WISH YOU MORE SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE, AND MAY YOU CONTINUE TO DO THE PHILIPPINES PROUD WITH YOUR TALENT, DEDICATIONS AND PROFESSIONALISM.

BILANG PANGWAKAS, INUULIT KO NA WALA AKONG TANGING HANGAD NGAYON KUNG HINDI ANG BIGYAN NG MAGANDANG BUHAY ANG ATING MGA KABABAYAN, LALONG LALO NA ANG MGA MAHIHIRAP. AKO AY NAHALAL NA PANGULO SA SUPORTA NG MASANG PILIPINO, KAYA ITO AY IPINANGAKO KO BILANG PAGTANAW NG UTANG NA LOOB SA KANILA. AT GAGAWIN KO ANG LAHAT UPANG MATUPAD ANG PANGAKONG IYAN BAGO MATAPOS ANG AKING PAGIGING PANGULO.

MARAMING SALAMAT PO AT MABUHAY KAYONG LAHAT!



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