Sa pagsapit ng linggo ng Pagkabuhay nitong taon ng kailangang-kailangang pagbabago para sa Pilipinas, ating alalahanin ang bagong pag-asang sinasagisag ng dakilang araw na ito matapos tayong tubusin sa ating mga kasalanan ng ating Panginoong Hesukristo.

Christ’s passion gave birth to a new man; so too our struggle for urgent change will find transformation into a new nation with more jobs, cleaner environment, safer streets, more investments, and freedom from the ills of crushing debt, endless poverty, and vile corruption.

Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa sa kabila ng maraming mga pagsubok. Isulong natin ang ating bansa sa klarong direksyon mula sa inyong halal na liderato, desididong aksyon sa Kongreso, at pagkakaisa ng taumbayan.

Nawa’y laging maghari ang pag-ibig ng Diyos sa ating mga puso upang tuluyan na nating makamit ang makabuluhang pagbabagong maghahatid sa atin ng kapayapaan at kaunlaran. Nawa’y mapaikot na natin ang ekonomiya at makapagbigay ng tunay na puhunan sa buhay ng karaniwang Pilipino.

We must stay the course, as Christ did, to eventual triumph. We must stay the course until the Philippines has turned the corner. In the end the weak-willed and the self-serving will be changed or cast off. In the end the corrupt will be indicted and convicted, and their ill-gotten gains forfeited to the government. And our faith and perseverance will win support and vindication from the people.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today expressed optimism that God’s love and the Filipino people’s faith and perseverance will eventually transform the Philippines into a triumphant state.

In her Easter Message, the Chief Executive said that despite numerous challenges, the people must not lose hope in the current struggle for meaningful changes that will bring about peace and prosperity for the country.

"Christ’s passion gave birth to a new man; so too our struggle for urgent change will find transformation into a new nation with more jobs, cleaner environment, safer streets, more investments, and freedom from the ills of crushing debt, endless poverty, and vile corruption," she said.

"Huwag tayong mawalan ng pag-asa sa kabila ng maraming mga pagsubok. Isulong natin ang ating bansa sa klarong direksyon mula sa inyong halal na liderato, desididong aksyon sa Kongreso, at pagkakaisa ng mamamayan (We must not lose hope despite numerous challenges. Let us move our country toward a clear direction set by your duly-elected leadership, supported by decisive acts of Congress and unity of the people)," the President stressed.

She said God’s love will be the biggest instrument in achieving the changes needed to invigorate the country’s economy.

"We must stay the course, as Christ did, to eventual triumph. We must stay the course until the Philippines has turned the corner. In the end, the weak-willed and the self-serving will be changed or cast off," the President said.

Touching on her administration’s campaign to eradicate corruption, she added:

SAGADA, Mountain Province – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo unveiled today plans to bolster the development of this town’s tourism industry under her administration’s "One Town, One Product" program.

Famous for its "mummy caves" and "hanging coffins" that attract droves of local as well as foreign tourists all year round, Sagada is also well-known for its indigenous pottery, weaving and coffee home industries.

The President said the government will assist Sagada entrepreneurs maximize the development of locally produced souvenir items, and the town itself as a tourist destination.

A major component of the Sagada tourism development plan is the construction of a road to the town next year under Phase II of the Halsema Highway system.

The President said she has discussed the proposed Sagada road project with Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. since the Benguet portion of the Halsema Highway would be completed this year.

"Aside from the corner junction to Bontoc, we will have to do a part that goes to Sagada because of the many tourists who come here," she said.

Noting that Sagada is famous for its upland coffee, the Chief Executive said the government will also develop "200 hectares worth of backyard coffee here in Sagada."

One Town, One Product (OTOP), is part of the President’s program to create six to 10 million jobs and fight poverty.

Through OTOP, local chief executives take the lead in identifying, developing, and promoting a specific product or service, which has a competitive advantage.

OTOP Philippines supports micro, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that manufacture, offer and market distinctive products or services through the use of indigenous raw materials, local skills and talents.

The President, who tried her hand at pottery-making at the St. Joseph resthouse by molding clay into a pot, was visibly pleased with the finely hand-crafted local products on exhibit here.

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has been assisting pottery-makers, weavers, and a multi-purpose cooperative of coffee farmers.

This year’s focus here is on pottery products that can compete with the best in Asia.

Sagada is one of the 10 municipalities of Mountain Province, a component territory of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

This town is also known as a spelunker’s paradise and stands out as the main attraction of Mountain Province because of its magnificent caves.

Sagada’s tourist destinations include Lumiyang and Sumaging caves, the largest caves in the area, which offer majestic view of stalactite and stalagmite formations.

SAGADA, Mountain Province – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered today an inquiry into allegations that Abu Sayyaf leader Ghalib Andang, alias Kumander Robot, was "salvaged" before the police stormed the Metro Manila District Jail at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig City last March 14.

"Nonetheless, whenever there is an allegation like that, we have to have it investigated. So, we are instructing the investigating agencies to look into this allegation," she added.