Marcos orders establishment of Migrant Workers Office in Phnom Penh

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered Secretary of Migrant Workers Hans Cacdac to establish an office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, as he said this would serve as a way of giving back to migrant Filipinos for their sacrifices.

Speaking before the Filipino community in Cambodia, Marcos said overseas Filipinos are the reason why he is greeted welcomely by other heads of state, as they have represented the Philippines well.

“Baka hindi niyo pa nalalaman, kami po ay talagang malugod na nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng inyong ginagawa hindi lamang para sa sarili ninyo, hindi lamang para sa pamilya ninyo, kung hindi para sa buong Pilipinas,” he said.

“Kasabay nito, ang gobyerno ay patuloy na maglilingkod upang masuklian ang inyong mga tulong at sakripisyo, kung kaya’t naatasan ko si Secretary Cacdac na magbukas ng Migrant Workers office dito ngayon sa Phnom Penh,” he added.

(In case you don’t know yet, we are truly grateful for everything you do, not only for yourselves, not only for your families, but for the entire Philippines.

At the same time, the government will continue to serve in order to repay your help and sacrifices, which is why I have tasked Secretary Cacdac to open a Migrant Workers Office here in Phnom Penh.)

Marcos did not give a specific timeline for the opening of the office, but said this would be done “soon.”

“HIndi natatapos ang ating tungkulin na paniguraduhing maayos ang inyong kapakanan habang nasa ibayong bansa, sapagkat sa atin mismong tahanan ay patuloy nating sinisikap na mapaunlad ang kalidad ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan. Ito ang pakikipagbahagi ng pamahalaan upang patuloy na kilalanin ang inyong pagsisikap,” he said.

(Our duty does not end with ensuring your welfare while you are abroad, as even at home, we continue to strive to improve the quality of life of our fellow Filipinos.)

Marcos arrived in Cambodia for his three-day state visit on Sunday afternoon, marking his second visit in the country since assuming presidency. He is joined by First Lady Louis “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, along with Cacdac, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Trade Secretary Cristina Roque, and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair Shirley Agrupis, among others. — BM, GMA Integrated News