GANASSI, Lanao del Sur (PNA) – President Arroyo on Tuesday stressed the importance of achieving long-lasting peace in Mindanao for the Philippines to become a great nation.

“Unless we come to terms with Mindanao, we will never achieve our goal of becoming a great nation,” the President said in her message at the end of the one-on-one interview here.

She likened the Philippines’ goal to that of the United States (US) which overcame racial prejudice and became a great nation.

The President spelled out three principles to achieve this goal.

First, she said is long-term vision of peace and progress, which she said “must go hand in hand.”

Second she said is to abide by the Constitution – that “we are one nation and we will never be divided.”

And third, according to her, “there must be social justice for all and that the accommodation of ethnic traditions must be institutionalized.”

“Christians or Muslims... We are all Filipinos...peace comes with progress,” she stressed.

Earlier, President Arroyo led the inaugural drive through the 2.7-kilometer completed section of the Banisilan-Alamada-Libungan road in Banisilan, North Cotabato.

The President, who arrived in the area, was greeted by Cotabato Gov. Jesus Sacdalan, Cotabato 1st District Rep. Lala Talinio-Mendoza, Banisilan Mayor Betty Allado, and other government officials.

Afterwards, Mrs. Arroyo, together with Director Sinaulan Macarambom of the Region 12 office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH 12) and local government unit (LGU) officials rode on a jeepney as they drove through the highway for an inspection.

The road connects Libungan town to the towns of Banisilan and Alamada in North Cotabato and Wao in Lanao del Sur.

Meanwhile, the President’s inspection of North Cotabato’s first rural airport in M’lang town was canceled at the last minute.