MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he and his delegation are traveling to Malaysia to strengthen the Philippines’ relationship with its Southeast Asian neighbor and to ensure the welfare of Filipinos in that country.

“Kaya’t ito po, isa na ito na ating pag-iikot upang siyempre kailangan nating pagtibayin ang relasyon ng Pilipinas at saka ng Malaysia,” President Marcos told the Filipino community in Kuala Lumpur, his first stop upon arriving in Malaysia’s capital.

“Unang-una dahil napakaraming Pilipino rito. At kailangan nating tiyakin na lahat kayo ay naaalagaan at lahat kayo ay maayos ang kabuhayan at nabibigyan ng mga pagkakataon.”

The Philippine Embassy in Kuala Lumpur said there are less than a million Filipinos in Malaysia, mostly overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

According to the President, it is the obligation of the government to protect the interest of Filipinos staying or working in Malaysia, know the challenges that they are facing and work to address those issues.

Marcos also recognized the role of OFWs in fostering good relations with other countries, saying that they are instrumental in maintaining the Philippines’ good reputation abroad.

“Kaya naman kailangan talaga kayong pasalamatan, dahil ang naging reputasyon ng Pilipinas ay gumanda nang gumanda dahil sa performance na ginagawa ninyo at inyong pinapakita sa mga taga-rito. Sa mga taga-Malaysia, kung saan man, taga-Middle East, kung saan sila, taga-Europe, sa America. Pare-pareho,” he said.

“Lahat-lahat ay sinasabi: ‘ang galing ng Pilipino. Hindi kasing ginhawa ‘yung buhay namin kung wala ‘yung Pilipinong tumutulong sa amin. Marami kaming nakikitang Pilipino na sumisikat dahil ang sisipag, ang huhusay, honest, maaasahan.’”

Aside from their contributions to the Philippines through their remittances, the President said Filipinos abroad are also helping build the economies and societies of the countries hosting them.

The chief executive also shared the message of his recently concluded State of the Nation Address (SONA), telling the Filipino community in Malaysia of his administration’s accomplishments and future plans for the development of the Philippines.

He said he has been concentrating on attracting more foreign investors, taming inflation and boosting agricultural productivity to ensure food security.

“Kailangan natin ng malaking-malaking investment. Kaya’t nag-iikot kami sa buong mundo at ipinapaalam natin sa lahat ng ating mga kaibigan at sa lahat ng ating mga magiging kaibigan na nandiyan na ang Pilipinas, na maayos na ang takbo ng Pilipinas, handa na tayo para sila ay mag-invest.”

The President arrived in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday afternoon for a state visit. Included in his itinerary during the visit are having an audience with the Malaysian king, meeting government officials, as well as the business leaders with the goal of strengthening the relationship of the Philippines and Malaysia.  (PND)