President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia, home to over a million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
During a farewell call by Saudi Arabian Ambassador Hisham Sultan Abdullah Alqahtani on Thursday, Marcos lauded the diplomat’s productive tenure in the Philippines, highlighting the enduring partnership between the two nations.
“Our relationship with your country is as strong as it has ever been. We have begun many things during my time as President, and I hope to deepen and expand our collaboration further,” said Marcos.
The President also acknowledged Saudi Arabia’s key role within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which has supported peace efforts in Mindanao. He expressed optimism about the region’s ongoing transition to an autonomous government with an elective parliament, crediting the kingdom for its support.
Alqahtani, for his part, commended the contributions of Filipino workers, noting their integral role in Saudi Arabia’s development over the past 40 years. He also shared that the kingdom would require skilled Filipino workers for rail and large-scale infrastructure projects, including those in Jeddah and northern regions, as it prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
Marcos assured the ambassador that the Philippines could supply skilled workers as long as resources are available, reinforcing the shared vision of continued cooperation.
