MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said Saturday the establishment of a new Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Thailand would help in the promotion and protection of the rights and welfare of Filipinos in the Kingdom. 

President Marcos made this remark after Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople bared in an event with the Filipino community that overseas Filipinos would soon have their own POLO.

“Yes, magkakaroon na kayo ng POLO Office,” said Ople, to the delight of overseas Filipinos who attended the event in Bangkok. 

President Marcos said with the establishment of a new labor office, the government can easily attend to the needs of Filipinos working and living in the Kingdom.

“Malaking bagay ‘yan at magiging mas madali lahat ng mga kailangan ninyong gawin. Kaya’t talagang maaasahan natin ito si Secretary Toots dahil matagal na niyang adbokasiya ‘yan,” Marcos said. 

In his speech, the President said attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit served as a platform for leaders to know each other in person after years of pandemic-induced lockdowns. 

“Naging importante ang meeting na ito, para sa akin din dahil nakilala ko yung mga leader, nakilala nila ako,” said the President.

The President said every time he is asked about his aspiration for the Philippines, he replies: “Simple lang naman. Wala nang gutom na Pilipino.”

According to the President, every Filipino working abroad serves as an “ambassador” of the Philippines.

“Bawat isang Pilipino na nagtatrabaho, bawat isang OFW ay parang ambassador ng Pilipinas. At kayo ay naging napakagaling na ambassador dahil kung kausapin natin ang mga tiga-Thailand, sabi nila ang mga trabahador na mga Pilipino, wala kaming masabi, wala kaming mareklamo, ang sisipag,” said Marcos. 

The chief executive also pledged to do everything to strengthen the growth of the Philippine economy while providing more jobs for Filipinos. 

“Ang magagawa nalang namin ay ang magsukli sa inyo ng magandang trabaho, ng aming pagtulong sa ating bansa,” said the President. (PND)