President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families of continuous support from the government in recognition of their sacrifices and contribution to the nation’s economy.
“Kaya naman narito kami, upang isulong ang inyong mga karapatan at upang tugunan ang inyong mga pangangailangan,” President Marcos said during the Pamaskong Handog Para sa Overseas Filipino Worker Family in Malacañang.
“Narito ang ating Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration o OWWA, kasama ang iba’t ibang sangay ng pamahalaan. Gayundin ang ating mga konsulada at embahada sa iba’t-ibang bahagi ng mundo upang siguruhin ang kapakanan ng ating mga OFWs, kasama na ang kanilang mga pamilya.”
Other government initiatives for OFWs include livelihood programs for returning Filipino migrant workers and scholarships for their children.
To ensure convenient and comfortable travel for OFWs, the government opened the OFW Lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, the President said, promising to put up more similar facilities in other airports in the country.
The government is also committed to provide quality healthcare to OFWs and their families, the President said, noting that last week, he led the groundbreaking of the OFW Hospital-Bagong Pilipinas Cancer Care Center.
“Ang layunin nitong ospital na ito ya magbigay ng libreng serbisyong medikal gaya ng chemotherapy at radiotherapy para sa mga OFWs nating may iniindang na matinding sakit. Patunay ito sa masinsinang pagtugon ng pamahalaan para sa inyong mga pangangailangan at kaginhawaan,” he said.
The government is also forging better relationships with other countries to ensure the protection and welfare of migrant Filipinos, he added.
The President honored in the event several OFWs for their exemplary performance, recognizing them for their talents and dedication to work worthy of emulation.
Among those distributed to aid OFWs were PhP10,000 cash assistance through the Livelihood Program for OFW and grocery packs for 500 beneficiaries extended by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Five beneficiaries were given Notices of Award (NOA) for housing units under the Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program. |PND
