President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met with members of the Filipino community in New Jersey to start his working visit there and thanked overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their efforts and contributions to the country’s economic recovery, according to Presidential News Desk (PND).
“Kahit nasa malayo kami ay pinapanood namin kayo, pumuputok po ang puso namin ‘pag nakita namin ang inyong ginagawa na itinataas at pinapatingkad ang pangalan ng Pilipinas sa buong mundo,” he was quoted as saying in a speech at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
PND said Marcos acknowledged the contribution of OFWs to pandemic recovery, particularly the remittances that enable the economy’s recovery from the health crisis, despite the fact that Covid-19 has caused unprecedented economic challenges globally.
“‘Yung remittances na pinadala ninyo, alam ko ang iniisip ninyo ay tulungan ang mga pamilya ninyo. Pero kahit hindi niyo nararamdaman, malaking naitulong ninyo sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. At siguro hindi lang malaki ang naitulong, binuhay ninyo ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas,” he underlined.
“We have over 10 million kababayans all over the world, and as your President, I understand and know fully well the significant impact of the Philippine diaspora on our motherland, especially in terms of supporting our post-pandemic economic recovery.”
The President is scheduled to deliver the national statement for the Philippines at the 77th United Nations (UN) General Assembly on September 20, according to PND. His speech will focus on the country’s vision of growth that is people-centered and will underscore his administration’s push for recovery following years of pandemic-related lockdowns.
He emphasized, “I am also here to make sure na ipapaliwanag natin kung nasaan na ang Pilipinas at kung ano ang mga maaaring gawin dahil sa ating palagay sa pagdating, paglabas natin ng pandemya at sinasabi na patapos na ay kailangan nating ayusin ang ating ekonomiya.”
In addition, PND said that Marcos reaffirmed the Philippines’ dedication to the UN’s values, emphasizing the latter’s function in promoting global communication and collaboration.
It stressed that the Chief Executive would also discuss the Philippines’ position on numerous world issues and “the role the Philippines will play as a responsible member of the family of nations in addressing these concerns.”
“Habang nandito ako, we will be working hard to get other things done for the country besides addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday the same way my father, President Ferdinand Marcos, and my mother, Imelda Romualdez-Marcos did on several occasions during his incumbency,” he highlighted.
PND added that he will meet with various international leaders, business people, and possible investors over the coming days as well as give a speech before economic briefings in New York.
“In the coming days, so besides the meetings with the political leadership, it will also be for potential investors, other business leaders dahil gusto natin para paahunin nga natin, para pasiglahin natin ang ekonomiya na makapag-invest at ‘pag nag-invest mayroong bagong negosyo. Kapag may bagong negosyo, may trabaho,” Marcos continued.
Photo Credit: Facebook/BongbongMarcos