President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on Wednesday of the government’s continued programs and projects that will uplift the quality of their lives while ensuring a comfortable life for their loved ones.
In his message during the OFW Family Day in Pasay City, President Marcos said that the government is continuously crafting the necessary measures to ensure their safety abroad.
Among those government efforts are the creation of the “One Repatriation Command Center” where a 24/7 hotline 1348 is open for those who need to be rescued and repatriated including those who need counseling and legal assistance.
He added that the government is also giving services and programs for the reintegration of OFWs who chose to stay in the Philippines for good.
Other programs include the Livelihood Development Assistance Program, the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanap-buhay, the Financial Awareness Seminar-Small Business Management Training, the Enterprise Development Loan Program, and the Tulong Pangkabuhayan sa Pag-unlad ng Samahang OFWs.
The President also highlighted the government’s programs such as the OFW Children Circle and the OWWA Education and Training Program and Educational Assistance, and the construction of the OFW Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga.
“Marami pang proyekto ang nakapila, at kahit ang mga kasalukuyang programa ay pagagandahin pa natin. Umaasa po akong susulitin ninyo at gagamitin ng wasto ang mga benepisyong ito. Kasabay ng pagkayod ninyo sa ibayong dagat para sa mas magandang buhay ng inyong pamilya, ay ang aming pagsisikap na magpaunlad pa lalo sa ating bansa upang sa inyong pagbabalik ay makita ninyo ang malaking pagbabago,” President Marcos added.
President Marcos also assured OFWs that the administration is tracking the path towards a “Bagong Pilipinas” where working abroad is just an option for those who wanted to work overseas due to more opportunities available for them in the Philippines.
“Kaya hiling ko na magka-isa tayo [sa] pangangarap at pagpapanday ng isang bansang matatag, maunlad, at puno ng oportunidad para sa bawat Pilipino.Para makamit natin ito, hinihikayat ko ang lahat na yakapin ang pagiging isang makabagong Pilipino,” President Marcos said.
“Sa ating mga OFW na araw-araw ay nagpapamalas ng sipag, husay, at katatagan sa inyong mga propesyon at siyang maipagmamalaki natin sa buong mundo: Kayo ang tunay na halimbawa ng makabagong manggagawang Pilipino,” he added.
Before concluding his speech, President Marcos expressed confidence that the administration will be able to fulfill the “Bagong Pilipinas” being envisioned with the help of the Filipino people and the OFWs. PND
