NEW JERSEY, USA — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. urged overseas Filipinos workers to bring their invaluable knowledge and their foreign friends "back home" as they play a vital role in the Philippines' economic transformation.
Marcos said this during his meeting with the members of the Filipino community here on Sunday evening, September 18 (New Jersey time).
In his speech, the President said the future of the Philippines looks bright but said OFWs still play "a very critical role in the economic transformation of our country."
"Kahit na malayong-malayo kayo sa Pilipinas ay ito ay sinasabi ko sa inyo, ang inyong minamahal na Pilipinas ay kailangan pa rin kayo lalo na ngayon (Even if you're far away, I'm telling you that your beloved country still needs you now more than ever)," he said.
"I stand here before you today to invoke the quintessential Filipino spirit, the spirit of bayanihan, and to challenge each and every one of you to contribute meaningful change back home," he added.
President Marcos asked Members of the Filipino-American community to follow in the footsteps of several exceptional Filipinos across the United States, who have been carrying out very impactful projects for the benefit of their kababayans back home.
He cited medical missions in far-flung barrios; the construction of school buildings and houses for indigents; the provision of scholarships, books, and school supplies to poor and deserving students; and funding research efforts to find cures for rare diseases.
He likewise noted how some Filipinos raise funds to respond to typhoons and disasters in the Philippines.
"Initiatives that our kababayans in the United States and elsewhere in the world could launch in support of our efforts to develop our agricultural sector are very much welcome," Marcos said.
Marcos also urged Filipino teachers, doctors, nurses, and other professionals to continue sharing what they have learned in the United States when they come home to their kababayans in the Philippines.
"There are so many initiatives that all of you could launch to help propel us further forward," he said.
Food security
The President said Filipinos overseas could help the Philippines overcome the challenge of attaining food security.
"It is a challenge. Attaining food sovereignty is not impossible with your help. I count on our agriculturists, and our specialists abroad to contribute to this endeavor," he said.
"I call on you and other Filipino overseas to invest in agribusiness ventures in the Philippines and become what they call now agripreneurs, yourselves, to help revitalize our countryside," he added.
Marcos hoped that Filipinos abroad could encourage their young relatives back home to take college courses related to agriculture.
"If you have idle lands in the Philippines, ask your families to take care of them and help them develop them for agriculture," he said.
"Have them plant ube (purple jam) and calamansi, which are in demand abroad, but we have a very limited supply. Every initiative to secure a bountiful harvest comes," he added.
'Become diplomats'
President Marcos said every Filipino abroad can help in the Philippines' economic transformation through their own little ways, like inviting their employers to visit.
" can do just as much as our diplomats could do by inviting your employers to visit the Philippines not just to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of our country and our people but also to explore possible trade investment opportunities there," he said.
"All of you are encouraged to bring home your friends to allow them to experience for themselves why the Philippines has become one of the top tourism destinations in Asia that offers the best islands, the most amazing beaches, and stunning landscapes that cannot be found, cannot be bettered anywhere in the world. Most importantly, introduce them to the grace, kindness, hospitality, and graciousness of all Filipinos," he added.
The President encouraged OFWs to become "balikbayans," make the long overdue trip back home and invest in the Philippines to contribute to job generation and build better lives for their fellow Filipinos.
"All of you are enjoined to continue investing in the Philippines. Do not stop buying condominium units and other real estate back home," he said.
"Invest and open businesses, maliit, malaki, sari-sari store, malaking kompanya, lahat puwede. Makakatulong lahat yun (big or small, a sari-sari store, a big company, everything can help)," he added.
'List down 3 things'
Meanwhile, President Marcos asked Filipinos abroad to list three things they wanted to do for the country and commit to making them happen.
"We have a long and bumpy road, full of risk and perils ahead of us as we face this turbulent time in global history," he said.
"But as your President, I remain confident that with your three things, no matter how small they are, those three things will make us succeed if we all agree to unite and to work together," he added.