MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Sunday pledged to improve working conditions in the Philippines as he thanked overseas Filipinos in Cambodia who are thriving on greener pastures.

The chief executive made this remark in his meeting with the Filipino community in Phnom Penh, where he vowed to address the lack of opportunities in the Philippines so Filipinos would no longer venture abroad to seek a better life.

“Ang aking pangarap ay sana hindi na kailangang umalis ang Pilipino dahil hindi makahanap ng trabaho sa Pilipinas. Kung may aalis man sa Pilipinas para magtrabaho, hindi dahil sapilitan. Ito ay dahil may mas magandang pwesto na pwede nilang kunin. Ngunit kung nais maiwan sa Pilipinas ay may trabaho para sa bawat Pilipino,” the chief executive pointed out.

The President also lauded overseas Filipinos for their sacrifices and for upholding professionalism and the core values of Filipinos wherever they go.

“Lahat ng piinupuntahan ng Pilipino, pati na rito sa Phnom Penh, sa Cambodia, ay laging sinasabi ng mga lokal, ng mga tiga-doon, na ‘ang mga Pilipino ay tuwang-tuwa kami na nandito sila dahil matulungin, napakasipag, honest.’ Lahat ng mga katangian na hinahanap ng ating mga kaibigan,” said Marcos.

“Filipinos are the best people in the entire world,” added Marcos as he capped his four-day trip at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits.

Filipinos in Cambodia work as teachers, guidance counselors, school administrators, engineers, accountants, managers, medical workers, supervisors, skilled workers, as well as executive positions.

According to the Philippine consulate in Cambodia, there are more than 5,000 Filipinos living and working in Cambodia, most of them are English teachers and supervisors in clothing and apparel factories and casinos. (PND)