By Gabriela Baron
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday, Nov. 13, lauded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Cambodia as he met with the Filipino community in Cambodia, after participating in the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits.
Marcos also vowed to address the lack of opportunities in the Philippines so Filipinos “would no longer venture abroad to seek a better life.”
“Ang aking pangarap ay sana hindi na kailangang umalis ang Pilipino dahil hindi makahanap ng trabaho sa Pilipinas. Kung may aalis man sa Pilipinas para magtrabaho, hindi dahil sapilitan,” Marcos said.
“Ito ay dahil may mas magandang pwesto na pwede nilang kunin. Ngunit kung nais maiwan sa Pilipinas ay may trabaho para sa bawat Pilipino,” he added.
The Chief Executive recognized OFWs’ sacrifices, professionalism, and for upholding the core values of Filipinos.
“Lahat ng pinupuntahan ng Pilipino, pati na rito sa Phnom Penh, sa Cambodia, ay laging sinasabi ng mga lokal, ng mga taga-doon, na ang mga Pilipino ay tuwang-tuwa kami na nandito sila dahil matulungin, napakasipag, honest. Lahat ng mga katangian na hinahanap ng ating mga kaibigan,” said Marcos.
“Filipinos are the best people in the entire world,” he added.
Cambodia is home to an estimated 5,000 Filipinos who are mostly employed in the sectors of education, infrastructure development, information and communications technology, and garment industry. -ag
