President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ Jr. has committed to making the Philippines favorable for investments to bring more job opportunities for Filipinos.

During his speech to the Filipino community in Indonesia, the President addressed that the issue keeping Filipinos away from the country is because of the lack of job opportunities locally. 

“Workers are abroad not because [it’s] a matter of choice, but they are away from our familiar and beautiful shores, constrained to leave loved ones due to the lack of opportunities back home,” Marcos stressed.

He said Filipinos should only commit to work overseas as a choice and not because they have to due to lack of opportunities in the Philippines. 

The President told them that the Cabinet is fully committed to provide the basic needs of the people in our own country, by making it appealing for tourism and investment to support the economy and produce jobs.

“Together, we’ll make the Philippines more conducive for tourism, for investment, at the same time, creating more jobs for the economy,” he said.

Marcos also assured that overseas Filipino workers (OFW) will also be a part of the Marcos administration’s priority. 

He highlighted that the Department of Migrant Workers will be fully operational by 2023 emphasizing that it will be one of the most important departments in the Cabinet. 

“Dahil dito asahan po ninyo na magiging fully operational na sa simula ng 2023 ang Department of Migrant Workers sa pamumuno ni Kalihim Susan “Toots” Ople na siyang mangunguna sa lahat – sa pinakabago at isa sa pinaka-importanteng departamento sa aking Gabinete, sa ating gobyerno,” the President said.

Moreover, the head of the Executive named the OFWs “ambassadors of goodwill” and expressed his gratitude for their sacrifices for their family and country. 

“Taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil sa inyong pagmamahal sa ating bayan, sa inyong sakripisyo na inyong dinadaanan para sa inyong mga pamilya, para sa inyong minamahal na Pilipinas.” 

“At kayo ngayon ay naging ambassador of goodwill na ng Pilipinas dito sa Indonesia. Kaya naman, kami’y magpapasalamat din at dito sa Indonesia, napakaganda ang pangalan ng Pilipino sa inyong mga kasama dito.”

With the community bloomed by the Filipino people in Indonesian soil, the President also mentioned the respect between the people of the Philippines and Indonesia, leaning towards the common cultural heritage of the two countries. 

“I am very happy to see that this kinship and close people-to-people ties continue to endure, as shown by the vitality of the Filipino community here in Indonesia. Napakalaki ang respeto ng mga Indonesian sa mga Pilipino dahil sa inyo,” he said.

Marcos highlighted that the mutual respect between the citizens of the two counties serves as a strong element in sustaining trade, tourism, and people-to-people link.

“You have become valued members of the local society — as investors, as company directors, business consultants, lawyers, accountants, engineers, teachers, and technical staff.”

“Your success here makes us all back home very, very, very proud.”

“Iba talaga ang galing ng Pinoy saan man sa mundo,” Marcos said to end his speech.

The President said he will emphasize how pleased he is “of the successes of the Filipino community and how they have learned to adapt and learn from Indonesia and its people” in his meeting today with Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

Photo credit: Office of the Press Secretary website