Embarking on her 72nd foreign trip since she assumed office in 2001, President Arroyo will ask Washington’s assistance to “advance” the peace process in Mindanao to finally end the decades-old armed conflict in the troubled region.

Shortly before she left, the President, clad in a red pant suit, described her historic meeting with US President Barack Obama on Thursday (July 30 in Washington DC) as a great opportunity to renew both countries’ war against terrorism and climate change.

“Closer to home, we will discuss how best to advance the peace process in Mindanao,” she said in a speech delivered at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2, citing the US government as major ally in advancing “soft” power by helping the government in carrying out economic and development programs.

About 60 percent of US bilateral assistance to the Philippines is channeled to Mindanao.

The jetsetter President, who flew to the US for her four-city tour at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday along with First Gentleman Jose Miguel T. Arroyo, also said in the light of the recent twin bombings in Indonesian capital of Jakarta, they will map out ways to strengthen regional cooperation on anti-terrorism.

“The Oval Office Meeting with the President Obama comes at a pivotal time for US relations in Asia. I am very hopeful that the Obama administration will once again put America back on the radar screen in Asia,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

She said the recent visit of US State Secretary Hilary Clinton to the ASEAN Secretariat in Indonesia and the early outreach by the US chief sends a strong signal that Washington is committed to a “new, more robust engagement” with the Southeast Asian regional bloc.

Among the pressing issues that will also be discussed by the two state leaders ways to mitigate the impact of the global economic crisis on the poor, especially in Asia and the Philippines and the continuous cooperation on addressing climate change.

“As an island, the Philippines is particularly vulnerable to dramatic changes in our weather and rising seas. We will do everything in our power to work with the US on this vital issue that confronts the Philippines and the entire human race,” Mrs. Arroyo said.

During her meeting, she will also extend the Philippine government’s gratitude to Obama for signing its stimulus package in February, which include the $190 million payment for World War II Filipino veterans.

“My expectations for the trip are straightforward: to meet the news US President an advance the interests of the Philippines with our strongest friend and ally. The US is essential to our economic, diplomatic and national security. We plan to ensure that these objective remain front and center and on track between our two nations,” she said.

Among the cabinet members who accompanied the President during her week-old US visit are Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde, deputy presidential spokeswoman Lorelei Fajardo, Finance Secretary Margarito Teves, MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, both presidentiables. More or less 20 congressmen joined the presidential delegation.

Ermita will be temporarily replaced by presidential adviser for political adviser Gabriel Claudio, who will serve acting Executive Secretary for a week.

Her latest overseas travel will bring to 41 the countries she has visited as president. It is also her 16th visit to the US, a clear importance she is giving to the nation’s relationship with the world’s remaining superpower.

Apart from Washington DC, Mrs. Arroyo will also travel to New York City, Chicago, and Guam before returning to Manila on August 5.

In Washington, the President is also due to rub elbows with Senator Harry Reid, members of the House committee on ways and means, and lawmakers belonging to the RP-US Friendship Caucus. She is likewise set to attend a forum on Coral Triangle Initiative hosted by the National Geographic.

On July 31, Mrs. Arroyo will hold talks with officials of the Millennium Challenge Corporation and representatives from the US Veterans’ Affairs Office before dining with members of the Filipino community.

The next day, the President will fly to New York to meet with US multinational companies with investments in the country. She will then proceed to Chicago for her meetings with American industrialists, business leaders and the Filipino community.

On Monday, the Chief Executive will fly to Guam to meet state officials, many of whom are of Filipino ancestry, and meet thousands of Filipinos living and working in the US territory.