By Alec Go
On his last day of his official visit to Japan, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged to keep supporting overseas Filipino workers (OWFs) as he commended them for their contributions to the country.
Marcos and the Philippine delegation met with the Filipinos community in Japan on Sunday morning, Feb. 12, before flying back to Manila.
“Kami naman po sa pamahalaan ay nandito para magsuporta, upang tumulong. Nandiyan ang ating ambassador, nandiyan ang bagong Department of Migrant Workers. Wala po silang ibang gagawin kung hindi asikasuhin kayo at bigyan kayo ng tulong kapag nangangailangan,” he said in his speech.
Marcos commended OFWs for being ambassadors through their hard work and kindness, saying that this has polished the country’s reputation abroad.
He also took note of the contributions made to the economy through OFW remittances.
“Ang sakripisyo ninyo ay hindi lamang sa ikabubuti ng inyong pamilya, hindi lamang sa ikabubuti ng inyong bayan, ng inyong barangay, kung hindi sa buong bansa. Kaya’t napakalaki ng utang na loob ng ating mga kababayan sa inyo, ng buong Pilipinas, ng pamahalaan,” he said.
The President said his foreign trips aim not only to seal partnerships, but also to present the Philippines as a welcoming spot for investments to generate quality jobs.
The Philippines and Japan sealed 35 agreements on various areas of cooperation during Marcos’ official state visit to the East Asian country. Some of these agreements are “ready to go,” according to the Department of Trade and Industry.
There were also bilateral agreements to boost ties in the sectors of infrastructure development, defense, agriculture, and information and communications technology. – gb
