MANILA -- President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Sunday pledged to make the country more conducive to investments in a bid to provide more employment opportunities for Filipinos.

The President made the remark during his meeting with the Filipino community in Indonesia, where he lamented the lack of job opportunities in the Philippines.

“Workers are abroad not because [it’s] a matter of choice, but they are away from our familiar and beautiful shores, constrained to leave loved ones due to the lack of opportunities back home,” the President said.

“That’s why I, together with the Cabinet, are fully committed to making sure that every Filipino’s economic, social, and cultural potential are fully realized in our own country,” the President said.

The chief executive said he wants Filipinos to only travel abroad for work because it is their choice, not because they have no other options.

“Together, we’ll make the Philippines more conducive for tourism, for investment, at the same time, creating more jobs for the economy,” he said.

During his speech, Marcos likewise assured overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) that they are part of his administration’s priority.

“Dahil dito asahan po ninyo na magiging fully operational na sa simula ng 2023 ang Department of Migrant Workers sa pamumuno ni Kalihim Susan “Toots” Ople na siyang mangunguna sa lahat – sa pinakabago at isa sa pinaka-importanteng departamento sa aking Gabinete, sa ating gobyerno,” the President said.

The Chief Executive cited the contribution of OFWs, whom he called “ambassadors of goodwill.”

“At kami naman ay laging nagpapasalamat na ang inyong sakripisyo ay patuloy pa rin ninyong ginagawa, pinapakita ninyo ang pinakamagandang ugali ng Pilipino at ito ay nagbibigay bunga sa pagtulong sa ating mga kababayan na naiwan sa Pilipinas,” the President said.

The President also expressed gratitude to Filipinos in Indonesia for their sacrifices.

“Taos-puso akong nagpapasalamat sa inyo dahil sa inyong pagmamahal sa ating bayan, sa inyong sakripisyo na inyong dinadaanan para sa inyong mga pamilya, para sa inyong minamahal na Pilipinas,” he said.

“At kayo ngayon ay naging ambassador of goodwill na ng Pilipinas dito sa Indonesia. Kaya naman, kami’y magpapasalamat din at dito sa Indonesia, napakaganda ang pangalan ng Pilipino sa inyong mga kasama dito,” he added.

Cultural linkages, people-to-people ties

In his speech, the President also mentioned the common cultural heritage shared between Filipinos and Indonesians.

“I am very happy to see that this kinship and close people-to-people ties continue to endure, as shown by the vitality of the Filipino community here in Indonesia. Napakalaki ang respeto ng mga Indonesian sa mga Pilipino dahil sa inyo,” he said.

“You have become valued members of the local society — as investors, as company directors, business consultants, lawyers, accountants, engineers, teachers, and technical staff,” he said.

The President noted that the high level of respect gained by Filipinos has contributed to sustaining trade, tourism, and people-to-people links between the two countries.

“Your success here makes us all back home very, very, very proud,” he said. “Every time we hear news of yet another success by our OFWs, we are always saying thank you for the glory you bring to our country, for the good name that you burnish and polish of our country while you are abroad. Iba talaga ang galing ng Pinoy saan man sa mundo.”

In his meeting with President Joko Widodo on Monday, Marcos said he would tell him about how proud he is “of the successes of the Filipino community here and how you have learned to adapt and learn from Indonesia and its people.” (PND)