By Mario Casayuran
Opposition Senator Francis N. Pangilinan joined the nation Wednesday, December 18, in celebrating International Migrants Day with special gratitude to the over 10 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who live and work in some 200 countries and territories around the world.
Sen. Kiko Pangilinan
(Senate of the Philippines / MANILA BULLETIN)
‘’Sa maraming bahagi ng mundo, preferred ang manggagawang Pilipino sa husay at sipag. At salamat sa kanila, meron nang US$27.6 billion remittances sa unang sampung buwan ng taon. Kabilang ito sa nagbibigay ng stability sa ating local economy,’’ Pangilinan said.
(Throughout the world, Filipino workers are known for their aptitude and work ethic. These OFWs have remitted $27.6 billion to the country in the first 10 months of the year. These remittances helped stabilize the country’s economy.)
‘’Marami sa ating mga kababayan abroad ang umuuwi tuwing kapaskuhan. Dahil walang kasing sarap ang mabuhay sa sariling bayan. Saan merong palakpakan paglapag ng eroplano? Sa Pilipinas lang, dahil sabik na sabik ang ating mga kababayang umuwi at makapiling muli ang lupang tinubuan at ang mga mahal sa buhay,’’ he added. (Many of our countrymen abroad come back during the Christmas season. Nothing beats being in one’s country. Shouldn’t there be claps of appreciation when they arrive at the airports? They hanker being back in their home country and in the company of their loved ones.)
Suklian natin ang kanilang pangungulila ng pagpapaunlad ng bayan para hindi na nila kailangang iwan ang pamilya para lang kumita nang sapat para sa kanilang kinabukasan,’’ he added. (Let us repay them by making our country a progressive one so that they would no longer go abroad for higher wages or salaries for their future.)