Marcos: OFWs make PH-UAE economic, defense agreements possible

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Agreements bolstering economic and military ties between the Philippines and the UAE would not have been possible had it not been for the estimated one million Filipinos who helped make the Middle East country what it is today, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. said.

Speaking before members of the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday evening, Marcos said the UAE returned a favor when it inked the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the Philippines to bolster trade ties.

It was signed in the presence of Marcos and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026.

A memorandum of agreement (MOU) was also signed to provide a platform for enhanced military and security ties between the two countries.

Honor

"Kayo po ang nagbibigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng inyong kontribusyon na United Arab Emirates (UAE), sa magandang ehemplo na inyong pinakita sa inyong trabaho, sa pamahalaan ng UAE, sa iba't ibang mga lahi na naninirahan dito at sa kontribusyon na inyong binibigay sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas," said Marcos.

(You bring honor to our country through your contribution to UAE, to the good example that you show in your work, to the UAE government, to the different nationalities living here, and to your contribution to our country, the Philippines.)

"Dahil dun ay siyempre nagmamagandang loob po… na gusto tayong tulungan ng UAE dahil mahal na mahal kayong mga Pilipino na nagta-tatrabo dito. Nagtatanaw po sila ng utang na loob. Ang kanilang sinasabi, kung hindi dahil sa mga Pilipino na tumulong sa amin dito sa UAE ay hindi po kami mayaman kagaya ng ganito. Kaya malaki ang pasasalamat ng UAE sa mga Pilipino," he added. 

(Because of that, they are kind to us... they want to help us because they truly love the Filipinos working here. They are showing gratitude. They are saying that if not for  you who helped us, we wouldn't be this rich. That is why they owe you a big 'Thank you.' This at hand, the UAE brought forth the idea of having an economic agreement – the CEPA. That's why the UAE is grateful.)

"Dahil dyan, marami po tayong pag-uugnay sa UAE... sa trade... 'yan po ang bunga na ng inyong napakagandang trabaho dito," Marcos said.

(Because of that, we will have relations with the UAE in terms of trade. That is the result of your good work here.)

Reputation

Contributions of OFWs have also resulted, Marcos said, in the "good reputation of Filipinos not only in the UAE but all over the world." 

"We are laying the groundwork for employment opportunities and wider access to Filipino businesses through agreements like this. Every achievement that you earn makes us stronger," the President said.

To sustain this, Marcos said, it has become necessary that OFWs "prioritize skills development." 

"'Yan ang susi ngayon. Kailangan tayong matuto, tuloy ang pag-aaral natin," he said. (That's the key. We need to learn, the study needs to continue.) In return, the Philippine government, through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), are doing all they can to provide OFWs everything they need "because we envision a future where every Filipino has a chance to succeed."

The President's meeting with the Filipino community was held during the Abu Dhabi leg of the Serbisyo Caravan, which brought together Philippine government agencies such as the Land Transportation Office (LTO) the Social Security System (SSS), PhilHealth, Pag-Ibig Fund, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), among others.

With Philippine government services closer to Filipinos here, the event saw 700 OFWs conducting 2,400 transactions, including driver's license renewal and registration with eGovPH.

The Serbisyo Caravan was also earlier held in Dubai. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said a total of 5,000 OFWs were estimated to benefit from the 2026 edition of Serbisyo Caravan. 

It was the third such event in seven months. The first two legs of Serbisyo Caravan were held last year of which, according to DMW, some 63,000 OFWs benefitted in over 145,000 transactions. — VDV, GMA Integrated News