Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 20) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is targeting to make working abroad an “alternative” for Filipinos as his administration pushes for the creation of more jobs in the local market.
In his speech during the OFW Family Day 2023 in Pasay City, Marcos hopes to realize this under his governance brand “Bagong Pilipinas.”
“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, nais natin na ito’y maging alternatibo na lamang dahil mas marami ang pagkakataon sa loob ng bansa,” Marcos said Wednesday.
[Translation: Under Bagong Pilipinas, we want this to become an alternative because we will have more opportunities in the country.]
According to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority, Filipino employers hired more staff in October as the jobless rate fell to 4.2%, translating to 2.09 million unemployed individuals.
Marcos also recognized overseas Filipino workers’ sacrifices, as well as their contribution to the economy and nation-building.
Data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed this month that cash remittances from OFWs inched up by 3% to $3 billion in October — the highest in 10 months.
The president also vowed that his administration would continue to explore ways to improve their welfare.
Marcos said the government stands ready to support those OFWs wanting to return to the country as it has prepared livelihood and loan assistance programs for them.
He also said training programs can be tapped to upgrade OFWs’ skills.
