By Renee F. De Guzman

San Fernando City, La Union (10 October) -- Amid the political bickering and noise her enemies are making, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is not demoralized and instead has become resolute to devote the remaining three years of her administration to nation-building.

The President said, as the Philippines is now on the path to permanent economic growth and stability her administration's main goal is poverty alleviation.

During the launching of "Go Negosyo Caravan" in Pampanga, she said, no political noise will divert her attention from the task of growing the economy and improving the lives of the Filipino people.

She said increased government earnings or revenues either through raising the effective collection of taxes or sale of government assets is necessary component of poverty alleviation.

With the raised revenues, she said she will invest more in human resources and physical infrastructures to create jobs and upgrade the country's competitiveness.

Social services will include availability of improved health care, increase access to education and anti-hunger campaign.

Another main concern of poverty alleviation, she said, is to cut down on red tape and eradication of corruption in government projects so that both the big and small businessmen could create wealth and jobs with least expenses.

"I make difficult decisions but I made permanent changes in the economy, I dwelt on infrastructure, I brought down the rate of poverty in the past," she said.