During his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the vital role of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in national development and celebrated their personal achievements.
Marcos noted the impressive $37 billion in remittances sent by OFWs over the past year, based on data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), describing it as “a huge boost to our growing economy.”
The President also highlighted significant advancements in overseas employment during his tenure. Recently, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC) adopted a landmark resolution, co-sponsored by 28 countries, including the Philippines, to promote and protect the rights of seafarers. This marks the first-ever UN HRC resolution focused on seafarers’ human rights.
Marcos stressed that this resolution ensures safety and decent living conditions for over half a million Filipino seafarers, who represent a significant portion of the global maritime workforce of nearly 2 million.
Additionally, Marcos showcased partnerships with like-minded states that have led to increased investments in the Philippines and expanded employment opportunities for Filipinos abroad.
In his commitment to supporting OFWs, Marcos inaugurated the OFW Lounge at Terminals 1 and 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the Seafarer’s Hub in Manila, aiming to enhance services for departing and returning workers.
Marcos also reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to assisting migrant workers in distress. Over the past year, the government successfully repatriated OFWs and their families from conflict zones such as Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, and Yemen, as well as from disaster-affected areas in Taiwan and New Zealand.
“Until their return home, we welcome our OFWs with open hearts and arms. We assure our returning OFWs, along with their families, that we will support them well to start anew here in the country, enabling them to secure good jobs or establish businesses,” Marcos stated.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has collaborated with various government agencies and the private sector to ensure the smooth reintegration of OFWs into Philippine society.
Furthermore, the national government has achieved significant milestones in labor affairs, including lifting the deployment ban to Kuwait and settling unpaid claims and wages for OFWs affected by the economic crisis in Saudi Arabia. To date, 1,500 Filipinos have received compensation totaling 130 million Saudi riyals (approximately P1.9 billion), with ongoing discussions with the Saudi government regarding remaining claims.