Marcos urges Brunei-based Filipinos to return, invest in PH

Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah (L) sits with Philippines’ President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (R) prior to a meeting at Istana Nurul Iman in Bandar Seri Begawan on May 28, 2024. (AFP)

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday urged Filipinos here to return to the Philippines and invest in the country as he promised overseas Filipinos that the government  would “build better and build more” infrastructure projects.

“I said it before and I will say it again, we will build and we will build better and we will build more,” the President told the Filipino community at the Bridex International Convention Center here.

Brunei, a predominantly Muslim country rich in oil and gas, is home to about 25,000 Filipinos.

He assured Filipinos that the government would expand its infrastructure projects to remote areas in the country to further spur economic growth.

“I seek to widen the focus on infrastructure development to allow for growth in far-flung municipalities. We don’t want to see that development is only in Manila or in Luzon. Nobody should be left behind,” he said.

“So, we go to the underdeveloped areas of the Philippines and this we will open up through the construction of roads and bridges, as well as an efficient means of transportation, including the expansion of railway services and including connectivity and access to means of communication so that no part of the Philippines is outside of its reach,” he added.

He even promised returning Filipinos that they would soon come home and experience “a new and upgraded” Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

According to him, infrastructure will remain a very high priority as it helps drive growth and it helps drive employment.”

“Initial improvements will be felt next year,” he said.

“Things are looking up for the economy. Aside from the remittances from our OFWs, I also encourage all of you to someday return and invest and set up your own business at home and in the Philippines,” he added.

Marcos is in Brunei for a two-day state visit.