Washington has assured the Philippine government its continuous assistance to move forward the peace process in Mindanao seeking to end the decades-old chapters of armed conflict in the strife-torn region, Malacañang on Wednesday said.

Press Secretary Cerge Remonde said the President’s appeal for US government’s government assistance to advance the Mindanao peace process gained the nod of US President Barack Obama, who he said, was “pleased” with the Arroyo administration’s renewed efforts to jumpstart the peace negotiations with the Muslim rebels.

Also, Public Works Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said that the completion of President Arroyo’s projects in Mindanao will play a vital role in resolving the armed conflict in the region.

“Under the State of the Nation Address (SoNA) projects, Mindanao has nine major infrastructure projects supervised by the DPWH. These projects will provide people access to income-generating activities in their communities, enabling a stronger foundation for peace,” Ebdane said.

“The US will continue to support our economic development assistance and the peace initiatives in Mindanao. As the US re-engages with Asia, we can be assured that the Philippines will be a key partner in that process,” he said.

A week before her visit to the US, Mrs. Arroyo directed the suspension of military offensives in the southern Philippines to provide conducive atmosphere for the immediate resumption of peace talks with the Muslim rebels as well as to address the plight of more than half a million internally displaced people in Mindanao.

Remonde said the benefits of Mrs. Arroyo’s visit “will be seen in increases in US economic support, trade and investment and in a more secure Asia Pacific region.” (with reports from Charissa Luci)