Palace to listen to OFWs’ woes

Malacañang is open to listening to the problems of overseas Filipino workers, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Jr. said during a gift-giving program at the Palace on Friday.

"The Palace is very open to you, not only the Palace grounds, but it is open to listen and understand the problems you are facing now," he said in his welcome remarks during the "Pamaskong Handog Para sa Pamilyang OFW" program.

Marcos honored OFWs, whom he described as "modern-day heroes", and promised to protect them, their welfare and interests, and their families.

"OFWs and their families are close to me. That's why in our administration, we are strengthening the Department of Migrant Workers so that the service and care for our modern-day heroes will be faster," Marcos said.

"The role you are playing is very important to improve our economy and raise the standard of living of your family and fellow Filipinos," he added.

The event coincides with the first anniversary of the creation of Republic Act 1641, the law creating the Department of Migrant Workers.

Marcos also commended DMW Secretary Susan "Toots" Ople and other officials and employees of the agency for their service to the OFWs and their families.

"In the past year, we have seen that the department is working enthusiastically to ensure the interest and welfare of our OFWs," he said.

DMW has so far assisted 766,290 OFWs to find decent employment abroad and extended scholarships to their children in the Philippines.

The DMW reported that from July to December this year, it assisted some 766,290 OFWs to find decent employment abroad and facilitated the repatriation of 6,341 distressed OFWs.

The agency also provided livelihood assistance and extended 16,000 scholarships as of November 2022.

Ople said 16 regional offices and four additional overseas labor posts, which will be called "Migrant Workers Offices", are set to open next year with a P15.871-billion budget.

She announced that the first OFW Hospital in Mabalacat, Pampanga province now benefits OFWs and their families.

Around 250 OFWs took part in the event with their children, some of them performed for the President and the First Family.

They received gifts from the Office of the President, including a pack of five-kilogram of rice.

In return, they also gave gifts to the President such as paintings and greeting cards.