SINGAPORE --- More jobs await Filipinos as Singapore taps the Philippines for thousands of health workers after witnessing their abilities during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. revealed.
Marcos made this announcement during his meeting with the members of the Filipino community at the National University of Singapore on Tuesday evening, September 6.
In his speech, the President was excited to announce this development and added that Singapore was also looking into hiring Filipinos in different fields aside from healthcare.
"Naku, libo-libo ang hinahanap ng Singapore. Libo-libo hindi lang nurse, kundi pati na yung aviation services, mga engineer, pati mga propesor, lahat na po (Singapore is looking for thousands -- not just of nurses but also those from the aviation services, engineers, professors, and many more)," Marcos said.
"Ganyan kataas ang tingin sa inyong mga kasama ninyong Singaporean dito sa Singapore (That's how much Singaporeans look up to you)," he added.
According to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan Ople, Singapore is asking for more Filipino health workers because they were impressed by their work during the Covid-19 crisis.
"Sobrang napabilib po sila ng ating mga manggagawa noong panahon ng pandemya (They were very much impressed by our workers during the height of the pandemic)," she said.
She added that the Philippines and Singapore would sign a joint communique on Thursday, September 7, to make this request official while ensuring the welfare of Filipino health workers.
"Nakasaad po doon ang kanilang paniniwala, ang kanilang kagustuhan na maka-hire pa po ng mga Filipino health workers natin. Nangako po silang aalagaan sila nang husto (They expressed their confidence and desire to hire more Filipino health workers. They also vowed to treat them well)," Ople said.
The DMW secretary said Singapore is looking into hiring an initial 3,000 Filipino health workers.
President Marcos is in Singapore for the second leg of his inaugural State Visit. He first visited Indonesia from September 4 to 6.
Singapore is home to some 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).