MANILA — The government is doing all it can to protect the rights and interests of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. told the Filipino community in Laos on Tuesday, October 8.
The President made the assurance before the Filipino community shortly after his arrival to attend the 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
“Patuloy naming ginagawang prayoridad ang mga overseas Filipinos upang aming maitaguyod at maprotektahan ang inyong karapatan at kapakanan,” he said.
He said part of that effort is strengthening the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Philippine embassies across the globe.
In the same event, President Marcos said he expects everyone in the Filipino community to become ambassadors of goodwill to foster good relations with their host country.
The President expressed his admiration to the profile and caliber of the Filipino community in Laos. He noted that Filipinos working there are teachers, engineers, executives, experts and other professionals who are contributing to the Laotian society.
He said the contribution of Filipino workers to Laos’ development is important in forging strong people-to-people relations between the Philippines and their host nation.
“Tunay na napakarami nating pagkakatulad sa mga Lao, gaya ng ating pagpapahalaga sa ating espirituwalidad; pagmamahal sa pamilya; pakikipagkapwa-tao at pagiging bahagi ng nating komunidad; pagrespeto sa ating kapaligiran; at pagiging makabayan. Kaya naman, nais kong ipagpatuloy pa ninyo ang pagiging [ambassadors] of Filipino goodwill dito sa bansang Laos PDR,” the President said.
“Gaya ng sinabi ni Ambassador (Deena Joy Amatong), damang-dama naman [ang] mataas na pagtingin sa inyo ng mga taga-rito. By exercising your professions in the professional and expert way that you do, through your daily interactions with the locals, you have become valuable members of society. You make us all very, very proud!”
During his participation in the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and Related Summits, President Marcos said he intends to advance Philippine national interests in those meetings, including that of maintaining peace and security in the region, strengthening the economy, and ensuring the well-being of every Filipino.
The President said he is also meeting with potential investors and businessmen to encourage them to invest in the Philippines, which is one of the most dynamic and best performing economies in Asia.
“You can be assured that my administration will continue to work hard to sustain this upward trajectory,” he said.
“Ginagawa po namin ang lahat ng ito upang patuloy namin mabigyan ng magandang kinabukasan ang bawat Pilipino. Nang sa gayon, ay hindi na kinakailangan ng sinuman na lumisan pa sa Pilipinas at makipagsapalaran sa ibang bansa.” (PND)
