11:47 | Lima, Jul. 28 (ANDINA).
President Alan Garcia has asked Peruvians to keep faith in the country's future, selfconfidence among the other countries of the region and optimism to face problems caused by the current global situation.
During his annual address as part of official activities marking the country's 188th anniversary of Independence at the Congress, Garcia also called on Peruvians to honor those who died to restore peace before subversive violence and internal conflicts.
The head of state also announced some measures to be implemented in the next months, such as a bill to double the Municipal Compensation Fund (Foncomun) benefiting local governments across the country.
President Garcia arrived at the Congress venue around 11:00 (16:00 GMT) and was welcomed by a seven-member Congress Committee.
This committee was composed by Elias Rodriguez, Olga Cribilleros, Jose Mallqui, Francis Escudero, Jorge Foinquinos, Juan Perry and Luisa Maria Cuculiza.
Amid warm applauses upon his arrival to the Parliament, President Garcia took the time to greet all Congress members from the different political parties such as APRA, Unidad Nacional (National Unity), Unión por el Perú (Union for Peru), Partido Nacionalista (Nationalist Party) among others.
Then all attendees sang the national anthem of Peru.
Earlier in the morning, President Garcia participated in the Te Deum ceremony, today’s first event marking the 188th anniversary of Peru’s independence at Lima’s Cathedral.
(END) RMB/LVT
Published: 7/28/2009