At least 70 Filipino organizations and 300 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia have united to show their appreciation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for bringing government services closer to migrant workers through the Bagong Pilipinas initiative.
In a manifesto released after the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo: OFW Serbisyo Caravan held in Al Khobar on August 15 to 16, the groups expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the President for his administration’s attention to the welfare of OFWs.
“Kami po, ang mga kinatawan at bumubuo ng komunidad ng mga overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sa Eastern Province ng Saudi Arabia ay buong puso na nagpapahatid ng aming lubos na pasasalamat sa inyo, Mahal na Pangulo, para sa walang sawang pagtangkilik at pagbibigay-pansin sa kapakanan ng mga Pilipinong nagtatrabaho sa ibayong dagat,” the manifesto read.
Beyond appreciation, the groups also outlined key requests to further improve OFW welfare. These include expanding the Reintegration Program with TESDA, building partnerships with healthcare facilities, ensuring educational opportunities for OFWs and their families, involving the Professional Regulation Commission in future caravans, strengthening monitoring of Household Service Workers, expanding mental health support, and institutionalizing the caravan as a regular service.
The signatories assured that they, too, are prepared to do their part. “Bilang tugon, kami po ay handang magbigay ng aming Commitments of Cooperation – mula sa aktibong pakikilahok sa mga programa, pagbabahagi ng kaalaman at ideya hanggang sa pakikipagtulungan sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno,” the statement added.
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac welcomed the initiative and said the President would be informed of the community’s message. He also promised more programs designed to protect and support migrant workers, emphasizing that reintegration into the Philippines remains a top priority of the administration.
