DAVAO CITY –— In meeting the Overseas FIlipino Workers in Washington D.C. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. gave an assurance that the the government is working to boost the quality of jobs in the country to prevent dispora of Filipino workers abroad.
Marcos Jr. spent over an hour with the Filipino community in Washington, D.C. on Monday hours after his arrival on official vist, and expressed gratitude to OFWs for “keeping the Philippines afloat” during the pandemic, which hugely helped the Philippine ecnomoy through their remittances.
In his speech the President pointed out “Noong pandemya ay ang bumuhay talaga sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas ay mga OFW. At kaya’t… Kung hindi po sa inyo ay siguro mas mahirapan po na makabangon ang Pilipinas, kaya’t ulit maraming, maraming salamat sa inyo (During the pandemic, the OFW ‘s gave life to Philippine economy, that is why, if not because of you, it could have been harder for Philippines to bounce back, Again, thank you, thank you very much to you).
With all their contributions, Marcos said told the Filipino community that the government will return the favor by working for the welfare of the OFWs not only in the Philippines but also in different parts of the world.
He also urged the Filipino Americans to send their children and grandchildren to the country “Let them see for themselves what the Philippines is about, what is our culture, what is our history. I’m sure the first and second and third generation Filipino-Americans are more than happy to learn about their proud Philippine ancestry. Sooner or later, we will be able to welcome you back home to the Philippines, especially those who have re-acquired their Filipino citizenship,.”
With his Cabinet secretaries around him, Marcos said they will work together to strengthen the ties between the Philippine and the United States.
The President expressed gratitute to the United States government and President Joe Biden for inviting him to his country.
Department of Migrant Worker Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople also met the Filipino community.
During the pre-arrival concernt, OFWs were given the chance to greet their families in the Philippines via the official communications group of the Office of the President.Jovelyn, a Davaoeña was among the crowd who greeted her family backhome.-Editha Z. Caduaya
