The Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have been vital to the economic boost experienced by the Philippines over the years, a reason President Rodrigo Duterte puts them on his priority list, according to Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque.
In The Filipino Times’ live streaming on Facebook titled ‘TFT Usapang OFW: Tulong at Serbisyo para sa bawat OFW mula kay Pangulong Duterte’, the spokesperson said that Duterte always had a soft spot for OFWs due to their sacrifices and contribution to the country.
“Ang ating ekonomiya ay naging ganito kalakas bago tumama ang COVID-19 dahil sa OFWs, [especially] dahil sa remittances ng ating mga OFW,” he said.
Recently, President Duterte has approved an additional Php5 billion budget to provide assistance for overseas Filipino workers who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III confirmed the announced, stating that the money will be used for repatriation, of which a huge part of the funds will be allocated for the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to help send OFWs home.
READ ALSO: ‘HINDI PWEDENG MAGUTOM ANG MGA PILIPINO’: Harry Roque says PH needs to reopen economy soon
“Dahil po mahal na mahal ni Pangulong Duterte ang ating mga bagong bayani, ibinigay po nya ang kailangan nating dagdag na pondo para sa repatriation at tulong para sa ating mga OFW,” said Secretary Bello.
Roque also noted how some sectors have been fortified due to the purchasing power of OFWs, including the real estate industry, and how the country’s GDP was strengthened due to their remittances.
“‘Yong mga pinapadala niyo sa Pilipinas, ‘yan ang dahilan kung bakit mayroon tayong kayamanan na natikman bilang isang bayan,” he said
He also said that OFWs are paying high social costs, sacrificing distance from their loved ones just to work and provide a better life for them.
“Kayo talaga ang mga bagong bayani, so tama lang na ngayong kayo ang nangangailangan, dapat nandyan ang gobyerno para magbigay ng tulong,” added Roque.
SEE ALSO: Duterte approves additional Php5 billion budget for DOLE for OFW assistance projects
