Phl officials pledge more caring government to OFWs during visit to HK

 

Visiting officials tell OFWs the new Centre is their second 'home'

Philippine government officials led by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez promised a “Bagong Pilipinas” that is more responsive and protective of overseas Filipino workers, when they came to Hong Kong to formally launch the OFW Global Centre in Admiralty yesterday, June 8.

Rep. Romualdez (1^st district, Leyte) came with a big delegation from the Department of Migrant Workers led by Secretary Hans Cacdac and Administrator PY Caunan of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration; and a number of delegation from the House of Representatives, including his wife, Yedda and son, Andrew, both of the Tingog Partylist.

“We at the House of Representatives remain fully committed (to) championing legislation that protects, empowers and honors OFWs. You deserve nothing less, and we will deliver more because when we talk of building a Bagong Pilipinas, we are not building it for you, we are building it with you,” Speaker Romualdez said.

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The visit, which was palpably an effort to win over OFWs in Hong Kong to the government’s side,   coincided with the week-long celebration of the Philippines’ Migrant Workers’ Day.

It came just about a month after Filipinos in HK, made up mostly of OFWs, voted straight for all ten candidates endorsed by the detained former leader, Rodrigo R. Duterte in the first online voting for overseas Filipinos, leaving the two remaining slots to one independent, and one administration bet.

Surprisingly, however, the 200 or so Filipino community leaders who witnessed the grand launch of the OFW Center which began operating in November last year, enthusiastically applauded the guests, particularly Secretary Cacdac and Administrator Caunan.

Speaker Romualdez also said that the “Serbisyo Caravan” which was held on Chater Road on the same day and featured various government departments offering free services to OFWs, was part of the government’s way of reaching out to them.

“We are bringing the whole government to you, hindi na kayo kailangang umuwi para mag-asikaso ng inyong mga pangangailangan (you do not have to go home to seek out government services), said the Speaker.

He added that the moves are in response to a directive from his cousin, President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., “to make the government accessible to all Filipinos abroad.”

Rep. Yedda, Congen Israel, Secretary Cacdac, Speaker Romualdez and Administrator Caunan
cut the ceremonial ribbon to signal the official opening of the OFW Global Centre

Secretary Cacdac gave the same narrative, saying that the President would always ask about the welfare not just of OFWs, but also their families, in nearly all their communication.

“Kumusta na ang ating mga OFW? Tinutulungan ba natin sila?,” (How are our OFWs, are we helping them?) was said to be an oft-repeated question from President Marcos.

He also said that OFWs should not feel they have an “utang na loob” (debt of gratitude) to the government for setting up the OFW Global Centre, because it is in fact their way of showing gratitude to OFWs for all their hard work and sacrifice, and contribution to the country’s economy.

Caunan, who Speaker Romualdez described as being very close to President Marcos and First Lady, Liza Araneta Marcos, echoed the sentiment, saying the OFW Centre was proof  that “mahal na mahal kayo ng gobyerno. (the government loves you very, very much).

She also hailed the “Serbisyo” fair, the first to be held overseas by the various government agencies, was an indication that “ang buong gobyerno ay nagmamahal sa ating mga OFW.” (the entire government loves our OFWs).”

She, along with Cacdac, promised to carry out systemic innovation and more medical, financial and legal assistance to OFWs to help ease their concerns while at work.

Cacdac mingles with OFWs in Chater

Rep. Yedda who is credited with having pushed for funding for the OFW Center, said the new “second home of OFWs” was not a celebration of accomplishment but a celebration of the fulfillment of a promise by “a dear president.”

Coming from the Visayan region where more than 200,000 of all OFWs are said to have come from, she said migrant workers have a special place in her heart. As a mother and a civil servant, she said she also fully recognized the migrant workers’ self-sacrifice and contribution to the country.

Consul General Romulo Israel, Jr. thanked all the government officials for helping build a second home for Filipinos in Hong Kong, but reminded everyone of the song that says “(but) a house is not a home when there’s no one there to hold you tight…no one there you can kiss good night.”

Eventually, Filipinos like the 226,000 who are now in Hong Kong would want to return to the Philippines, he said, but in the meantime, the OFW Centre would be of great help in easing their longing for home.

Following the ceremony, DMW officials led by Cacdac and Caunan moved to Chater Road and amid the sweltering heat, mingled with thousands of OFWs and repeated their message of improved services and more financial help for those in distress.