President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. hailed the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their significant contributions to the country’s improving economy.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the House of Representatives on Monday, the President mentioned the sacrifice of OFWs.
“Kaya hindi lamang pasasalamat, kundi parangal ang ating ipinaabot sa lahat ng ating mga OFWs. Sana ay napapanood nila ito. Ramdam na ramdam hanggang dito sa ating bansa ang inyong sakripisyo,” President Marcos said.
The Chief Executive said he always visits a Filipino community to personally hear their stories and concerns whenever he embarks on a state or working visit abroad.
In his foreign trips, President Marcos said the Philippine government was able to promote mutual interests with like-minded states, resulting “not only in investments here and our strengthened national security but also in quality jobs for our nationals seeking foreign employment.”
“Through intense Philippine lobbying, the United Nations has adopted the resolution on “Promoting and Protecting the Enjoyment of Human Rights of Seafarers.” This will ensure their safe and decent living and working conditions at sea — a human rights imperative,” the President said.
“Patuloy ang ating pagtulong sa mga OFW. Hindi ito natatapos sa kanilang paglisan sa bansa. Karagdagang mga ispesyal na pasilidad at serbisyo ang ating binuksan para sa kanila, tulad ng OFW Lounge sa NAIA at Seafarer’s Hub sa Maynila,” he added.
President Marcos also emphasized that the government was able to extend all forms of assistance to OFWs in war-torn areas like Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, and Yemen. It was also able to help those affected by various crises and calamities in Taiwan and New Zealand.
“Hanggang sa kanilang pag-uwi, buong-puso ang ating pagtanggap at paglingap. Ang nagbabalik-bayang mga OFW, kasama ng kanilang pamilya, ay sinusuportahan nating mabuti upang maging maayos ang kanilang bagong simula dito sa bansa — para makakuha ng magandang trabaho o di-kaya’y makapagtayo ng negosyo,” the President said.
President Marcos extended his gratitude to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, who started paying OFWs who were left jobless after their companies declared bankruptcy in 2015 and 2016.
“Kaugnay sa aking naiulat noong isang taon, sinimulan na ng Saudi Arabia ang pamimigay ng cheke sa ating mga trabahanteng nawalan ng trabaho doon. Unti-unti, ang ating mga naapektuhang OFW ay nababayaran na,” President Marcos said.
“For this, we convey our sincerest gratitude to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he added.
In his visit to Saudi Arabia in October last year, President Marcos said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia assured him that unpaid wages of over 10,000 OFWs who were left jobless would be settled. PND
