Promoting the interest of Filipino workers
One of the three pillars of our foreign policy is the protection of the rights and the promotion of the welfare and interests of overseas Filipinos. This was emphasized by President Duterte on many occasions, saying that the well-being of overseas Filipinos, especially OFWs, remains his administration’s foremost foreign policy concern.
Our staff at the Embassy in Washington, D.C. continues to organize various activities that would enhance our capacity to protect Filipino nationals abroad. Last week, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Washington, through labor attaché Angela Librado-Trinidad, organized a town hall meeting and fellowship event at the Philippine Embassy’s Carlos P. Romulo Hall for Filipino nationals working as local hires and household service workers at different diplomatic missions and international organizations in DC.
The gathering gave the said Filipino workers in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area an opportunity to meet Embassy officials and elevate their issues and concerns.
I assured our kababayans that our Embassy team is working hard to fulfill our mandate to promote their well-being and protect the rights of all Filipinos in the US, in keeping with President Duterte’s instructions.
Filipinos working in the DC-Maryland-Virginia area intently listen to the briefings from Philippine Embassy officials.
I also shared with them the pride and honor it gives me to represent Filipinos in the US who have earned a well-deserved good reputation among Americans and other foreign employers. As a matter of fact, all the US senators and congressmen I have met have nothing but good words for the positive contribution of Filipinos in their respective jurisdictions — which is why I exhorted those at the gathering to continue to be hardworking, compassionate, law-abiding and hospitable to maintain the positive image of Filipinos in the US.
Joining us in the town hall meeting were Consul General Renato Villa, who had just arrived, and who gave his assurance that we would provide the necessary and appropriate assistance for those who find themselves facing distressing situations. Also present were Economic minister JV Chan-Gonzaga, who shared the good news about the Philippines and encouraged everyone to invest in the Philippines; welfare officer Josephine Tobia, who gave a briefing on the programs of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA); and labor attaché Librado-Trinidad, who explained POLO’s mandate and discussed contract verification processes.
