MANILA - President Arroyo in her 9th State of the Nation Address Monday defended her frequent foreign trips which have been slammed by her critics as “lavish and waste on resources,” especially since last year.

Arroyo said her trips abroad sought to work for the welfare of the overseas Filipino workers – visiting them as well as talking to the host governments of the millions of OFWs.

“Hindi ako nag-aatubiling bisitahin ang ating taong bayan at ang kanilang mga hosts sa buong mundo – mula Hapon, hanggang Brazil, mula Europa at Middle East hanggang sa American Midwest, nakikinig sa kanilang mga problema at pangangailangan, natututo kung paano matulungan sila ng ating pamahalaan—-by working out better policies on migrant labor, or by saving lives and restoring liberty,” she said.

Arroyo cited his visits to Saudi Arabia, Spain, Kuwait and Bahrain where she was able to gain benefits from the nations hosting OFWs.

“Pagpunta ko sa Saudi, pinatawad ni Haring Abdullah ang pitong daang OFW na nasa preso. Pinuno nila ang isang buong eroplano at umuwi kasama ko. Mula sa ating state visit sa Espanya, it has become our biggest European donor. At si Haring Juan Carlos ay nakikipag-usap sa ibang mga bansa para sa ating mga namomroblemang OFW. Ganoon di si Sheikh Khalifa, ang Prime Minister ng Bahrain. Pagpunta ko sa Kuwait, Emir al-Sabah commuted death sentences,” she said.

“We thank all the world leaders who have shown compassion to our OFWs, Maraming salamat po,” said Arroyo.

She also cited the investments to the Philippines and the increase in remittances of OFWs as a result of her visits.

“Iyong padala nilang $16 billion noong isang taon ay record. Itong taon, mas mataas pa,” she said.

“Our vigorous international engagement has helped bring in foreign investment. Net foreign direct investments multiplied 15 times during our administration. Kasama ng ating mga OFWs, they more than doubled our foreign exchange reserves,” she added.

She also took credit for the recent benefits provided by the US government to the Filipino veterans of World War II.

“Our international engagement has also corrected historical injustice. The day we visited Washington, [US] Senator Daniel Inouye successfully sponsored benefits for our veterans as part of America’s fiscal stimulus package,” she said.

US visit

Meanwhile Arroyo also clarified the status of her visit to the United States where she has been invited by US President Barack Obama for a meeting on July 30.

“High on our agenda will be peace and security issues. Terrorism - how to meet it, how to end it, how to address its roots in historical injustice or religious prejudice—and first and always how to protect lives.”

She said her discussion with Obama would include “nuclear non-proliferation… global challenge of climate change, especially the threat to countries with long coastlines. And there is the global recession, its worse impact on poor people, and the preferential options that will spare them from the worst.”