Mansion House, Baguio City (1 January) -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo yesterday summed up her wish for 2009 in three P's: peace, progress and prosperity for all the people.

The President articulated her New Year's wish at the gazebo of the guesthouse here yesterday morning when she was interviewed by the local media led by the Baguio Midland Courier.

In a written message distributed to the media after the 30-minute interview, the President said: "For 2009, first and foremost, I wish for peace, progress and prosperity for the people of the nation."

"The year 2008 was tumultuous for the world due to the global economic recession that, thankfully, has not become a crisis in the Philippines, so I pray for greater peace and stability."

She added: "I hope that we can all work together as a global community to weather these storms."

The President pointed out that "here at home, I hope that the efforts we are making to eliminate poverty and to improve the lives of our people will continue to bear fruit and that these efforts will pave the way to the creation of a more prosperous Philippines."

During the interview with members of the local media, the President said she is looking forward to leading the inauguration of the Baguio-Bontoc Road (now Halsema Highway) when the rehabilitation of the road network is completed in 2009.

The Halsema Highway, which is undergoing rehab, was constructed during the administration of her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal.