President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday acknowledged the overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) contribution to the economy and vowed that the government will continue to provide them support.

Citing data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, Marcos said the OFW remittances amounted to over USD37 billion in 2023.

“Sadyang napakalaking tulong nito sa ating bumabangon na ekonomiya! (This is such a big help to our recovering economy!),” he said in his third State of the Nation Address.

“Kaya hindi lamang pasasalamat, kundi parangal ang ating ipinapaabot sa lahat ng ating mga OFWs. Sana ay napapanood nila ito. Ramdam na ramdam hanggang dito sa ating bansa ang inyong sakripisyo (So we extend not only gratitude, but also honor to all our OFWs. I hope they are watching this. Your sacrifice is felt even here in our country),” he added.

Marcos said that through vital partnerships with like-minded states, the government was able to promote the country’s interests, resulting not only in investments in the country and strengthened national security, but also in quality jobs for Filipinos seeking foreign employment.

“Through intense Philippine lobbying, the UN (United Nations) has adopted the resolution on “Promoting and Protecting the Enjoyment of Human Rights of Seafarers. This will ensure their safe and decent living and working conditions at sea —a human rights imperative,” he said.

Marcos assured that the government will continue to support OFWs.

“Karagdagang mga ispesyal na pasilidad at serbisyo ang ating binuksan para sa kanila, tulad ng OFW Lounge sa NAIA (National Aquino International Airport) at Seafarer’s Hub sa Maynila. Ang mga OFWs nating naapektuhan ng sari-saring mga kaguluhan —tulad sa Israel, sa Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, at Yemen— ay natulungan natin at naiuwi nang ligtas sa bansa (Additional facilities and services were given to them, including the OFW Lounge in NAIA and Seafarer’s Hub in Manila. The OFWs affected by conflict in Israel, Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, and Yemen were also given help and were able to come home safely),” he said.

The government, he added, also provided help to OFWs affected by calamities in Taiwan and New Zealand.

President Marcos said the government will provide support to returning OFWs and their families to enable them to find new jobs or start their own business. (PNA)