Marcos to Pinoys in Saudi: We want to ease OFWs’ plights

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured the Filipino community in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday (Manila time) that the government is working hard to ease the burden of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Marcos gave the assurance when he met with thousands of overseas Filipinos in Riyadh and expressed his appreciation for the OFW’s “incredible determination and resilience.”

“I would be remiss, of course, if I do not speak of the difficulties and the challenges that you have all encountered. Lahat po kayo ay nagsakripisyo na kayo ay nakahiwalay sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay, sa inyong mga pamilya, sa inyong bansa (All of you have sacrificed being separated from your loved ones, your families, your country),” he said. “We are committed to providing solutions to ease the lives of overseas Filipinos.”

As part of efforts to digitalize public transactions, the government earlier launched the OFW Pass to streamline and improve the services for Filipino migrant workers, Marcos said.

The OFW Pass is the digital version of the traditional Overseas Employment Certificate that may be accessed for free by all Filipinos working abroad.

“The OFW Pass, for example, is a digital technology solution that removes the need for paper requirements, making returning to your country of work more convenient,” he said.

The President also expressed his gratitude and admiration to all OFWs, saying they have served as “an inspiration to us all.”

“The knowledge and the skills that you have acquired, ‘yung inyong galing at sipag habang kayo ay nandito (the competence and diligence that you have shown while you are here) have proven to be invaluable assets to the Philippines,” he said.

Marcos also hailed the OFWs for showing the kindness and warmth of Filipinos, saying such traits have encouraged the citizens in their host countries to visit the Philippines and consider it a “remarkable tourist destination.”

He urged the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia to continue helping one another, especially the distressed OFWs.

“So, continue to share your experiences to our countrymen and bring technical expertise back to the Philippines. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. I look forward to your return. With your help, the Philippine government’s integration programs will continue moving forward some brighter future for our country and for our people,” Marcos said.

“Further, we remain committed to developing the Philippine economy and improving the lives of the Filipino people in general.”

An estimated 700,000 Filipinos are working and living in Saudi Arabia, according to the data from the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The majority of Filipinos in Riyadh are employed in the sectors of household services, construction, tourism, hospitality, health care, and agriculture.