President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. speaks before overseas Filipino workers who participated in the OFW Family Day – the government’s treat to migrant workers who returned to the Philippines for the holidays and their respective families. (Photo by Gabriel P. Lalu/ INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Different training programs have been created by the government with the intention of ensuring that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are able to adapt with changes in the modern world, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday.
During the celebration of the 2023 OFW Family Day in Pasay City, Marcos touted several government programs for OFWs, like the One Repatriation Command Center, a 24/7 hotline for OFWs who may need rescue, repatriation, counseling, and legal assistance.
READ: Marcos goal: Working abroad a choice, not need
But he also highlighted training programs like the Livelihood Development Assistance Program, Balik Pinay, Balik Hanapbuhay, Financial Awareness Seminar, and the Small Business Management Training and Enterprise Development Loan Program — all of which intend to equip OFWs with new skills they can use if they return to their jobs or stay in the Philippines for good.
“Ito po ay ginagawa po natin upang, dahil nagbabago na po ang mundo. Kaya’t ang kailangan, para kung kayo ba ay maiiwan dito ‘pag nakauwi, kung kayo ba’y maiiwan dito sa Pilipinas, o nais ninyong bumalik pa ulit sa inyong trabaho, ay kailangan makapag-training nang mabuti para tayo’y handa at makipag-sapalaran na nga, at kaya natin ang mga bagong teknolohiya, ang mga bagong pamamaraan,” Marcos said.
(We are doing this because the world is changing. That’s why we need, if you intend to stay here when you return home, or if you want to return to your jobs abroad, at least you have obtained proper training so that you are ready for whatever scenario and that we are aware of the technologies and new methods available.)
“Kaya’t nand’yan po ang lahat ng assistance para mabigyan naman natin ang ating mga OFW ng isang magandang pagkakataon upang sila’y makapagsimulang muli pagkatapos ng pandemya,” he added.
(That’s why these modes of assistance are available so that we can give our OFWs a good chance to recover after the pandemic.)
Marcos also reiterated his previous promise that his administration would work towards ensuring that pursuing jobs abroad will be an alternative and not the sole option out of poverty.
“Layunin natin na ang pangingibang bansa ay hindi lamang dala ng pangangailangan upang mai-ahon ang pamilya sa kahirapan,” Marcos told OFWs and their families.
(Our goal is that going abroad for work would not be brought by the need to lift families out of poverty.)
“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, nais natin itong maging isang alternatibo na lamang dahil mas marami ang pagkakataon sa loob ng bansa,” he added.
(Inside the New Philippines, we want it to become an alternative only because there are many more opportunities inside the country.)
But to achieve this, the Chief Executive urged OFWs to unite and embrace being modern Filipinos — that is, according to Marcos, being able to adapt to changes brought by globalization and modernization.
“Kaya hiling ko na magkaisa tayo at pangangarap at pagpapanday ng isang bansang matatag, maunlad, at puno ng oportunidad para sa bawat Pilipino,” Marcos said.
(That’s why I ask people to unite in dreaming and forging a strong country, a progressive one, and a Philippines full of opportunities for Filipinos.)
“Para makamit natin ito, hinihikayat ko ang lahat na yakapin ang pagiging isang makabagong Pilipino. Sa ating mga OFW, na araw-araw ay nagpapamalas ng sipag, husay, at katatagan sa inyong mga propesyon, at siyang maipagmamalaki natin sa buong mundo, kayo ang tunay na halimbawa ng makabagong manggagawang Pilipino,” he noted.
(To achieve this, we urge our OFWs to embrace being a modern Filipino. To our OFWs who showcase their hard work, ability, and strong resolve daily, we are proud of you, you are the tru example of a modern Filipino worker.)
The OFW Family Day is a day-long event where OFWs and their relatives enjoy programs created for them, in recognition of their sacrifices and contributions to society.
According to the the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, this year’s theme is ‘Nagkakaisang Pamilyang OFWs Patungo sa Bagong Pilipinas’, which focuses on celebrating the families and loved ones of OFWs also, who similarly sacrifice being physically far from their relatives in pursuit of a better life.
This is not the first time that Marcos promised to make working abroad an optional measure for Filipino families. As early as his first state visit to Indonesia and Singapore, the President already made this remark, adding that the government intends to improve the state of life in the country as a way of giving back to OFWs.
Marcos also said in a speech last December 2022 that his administration is working towards having overseas jobs as an option and not a necessity, promising to provide more job opportunities in the Philippines.
OFWs are seen as new heroes as the remittances they send into the country make the economy more competitive. However, a lot of OFWs have been affected by different problems — including illegal recruitment, potential domestic violence and abuse, and other fraudulent activities.
In response, Marcos assured OFWs that the Philippines would forge stronger ties with other countries to ensure that the welfare of workers are protected.