GMA plays ‘Little Santa’

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan—President Arroyo played the role of “Little Santa” as she distributed gifts, scholarship and awarded outstanding social workers here yesterday.

“Hindi natin masasabing sumusulong tayo kung hindi natin maiaahon ang mga mahihirap at nagugutom sa kahirapan,” the President told thousands who attended the annual general assembly of the province’s Lingkod Lingap sa Nayon and Mother Leaders and awarding of outstanding volunteers at the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) here.

The Chief Executive urged richer families to help the needy especially this Christmas season.

“Maraming ginagawa ang gobyerno, ngunit hindi natin kayang lahat ito,” she said and stressed that there is a need for volunteerism.

She also acknowledged that it is the government’s goal to uplift peoples’ lives through poverty eradication programs that the country may be able to join the group of First World countries in 20 years.

To achieve that goal, the President said there must be strong middle class, strong institutions, and more infrastructure projects like the North Rail Project and North Luzon Expressway, and the Manila North Road widening that pass through Bulacan.

Arroyo also announced that based on survey, the country registered the lowest self-rated poverty in history. – Dino Balabo