MANILA, Philippines -- The government of Qatar is looking forward to hiring more Filipino workers in the coming years, Vice President Jejomar C. Binay.

Binay in his two-day visit in Qatar had met with the kingdom's high officials and discussed ways to facilitate the deployment of Filipinos.

During his meeting with the Minister of Social Affairs and Acting Labor Minister Nasser bin Abdulla Al Hamaidi at the Ministry of Labor, the Minister expressed his eagerness to see a greater Filipino labor presence in Qatar as it prepares to host the World Cup tournament in 2022.

OFWs working in Qatar has gone down to about 160,000 from as high as more than 200,000 last year, after some workers had completed their contracts with construction companies.

Crown Prince Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who also welcomed the Vice President and his small delegation at his offices in Amiri Diwan, said: “Filipinos are always welcome in Doha. Our doors are open to them. They are hard-working, disciplined, highly skilled and very professional, and they have become part of our culture.”

After the meeting, Binay then went to the Philippine School Doha to meet with the Filipino community in order to personally hear about their concerns and answer questions from the 120 organizations present.

Incidentally, Qatar's Emir, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani would be visiting the Philippines next month (May), Binay announced.

Binay also led the Filipino community at a mass for the three departed OFWs inside the Philippine Embassy compound, presided by a Filipino Franciscan priest, Father Zachary Para.

Before leaving Manila for Doha on Tuesday afternoon, Binay sent a last minute appeal to China seeking commutation of the death sentence of the three Filipi