Manila (9 March) -- Acknowledging foreign investors’ view that much more needs to be done to ease poverty, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo again vowed to keep her focus on the national agenda and leave politicking to candidates.

"I believe we are focusing on the national agenda that includes more jobs, stable prices, peace and order," she said in a speech aired live over government radio Radyo ng Bayan. "We're leaving the politicking to the candidates."

"This year, we hope to demonstrate the sustainability of our reforms just as we strengthen our defenses to lessen vulnerabilities to external and internal shocks," she said.

"We are optimistic about the future of our nation and the well-being of the people," she added.

Arroyo said she is working tirelessly to build a modern nation that will join the ranks of the First World someday.

"But [World Bank country representative] Joachim [von Amsberg] is right that there's much, much more room for investments to have a strong impact on alleviating poverty," she said.

Arroyo vowed to continuously work to cut red tape, build digital and physical infrastructure and strong energy grid nationwide, and rationalize incentives to attract more investors.

She said there are "solid indicators" that give the country a "fighting chance" to achieve at least seven percent growth rate towards 2010.

Arroyo cited the 27.5 percent increase in exports year-on-year for January, which she said was attained despite the strong peso.