House Speaker Martin G. Romualdez praised the Filipino community in the United States on Monday (Philippine time) for their welcoming and support of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and recognized their significant contributions to the Philippines, according to the Press and Public Affairs Bureau of the House of Representatives (HOR).
In a statement, it was revealed that Marcos met with thousands of Filipino migrants and workers at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, New Jersey, on the eve of his visit to the US to take part in the 77th United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
The President’s meeting with the Filipino community was attended by Romualdez and other members of the Philippine delegation to the UN.
The House Speaker was quoted as saying, “Your warm welcome and expression of strong support certainly serve not only as an inspiration to our President but also an affirmation of the overwhelming mandate he carries as he engages with other world leaders to articulate our country’s position on some of the critical issues facing the world today such as climate change, and food security, and rule of law.”
He told the Filipino community in the US that Marcos’ policies intended to boost the country’s economy and improve living conditions for its citizens have the full and unshakable support of the HOR.
In order to realize the President’s vision, where citizens no longer must work abroad due to a lack of opportunities at home, but may only do so as a matter of choice, Romualdez said “Your House of Representatives will work for the passage of necessary legislations to spur development and economic growth…,”
He also praised the important contributions made by migrants and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the country’s economy through the dollar remittances they send to their loved ones back home in the Philippines.
“At this juncture, when our economy is buffeted by external factors, your remittances help to cushion the pressure that has been driving down the value of our peso with the unfortunate consequence of increasing prices of basic commodities,” he said.
Romualdez said that by sending their hard-earned money home, the Filipino community, OFWs, and migrant workers not only support their families but also increase the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
“Truly, you are our modern-day heroes,” he continued.
But above all, Romualdez remarked, “the distinctions our Filipino compatriots receive in the United States for their exemplary contributions to society provide us with a priceless sense of pride as a nation.”
Photo Credit: Facebook/iamMartinRomualdez