A five-person congressional delegation from the Philippines met with Guam Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero to discuss the possible hiring of additional 10,000 skilled overeas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Pangasinan 3rd district Rep. Rachel Arenas, who led the Philippine congressional delegation, shared the photos of her with other lawmakers in Guam.
Arenas is the chairperson of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
“Ipinadala po tayo dito para kumustahin ang kalagayan ng ating mga mahal na OFWs lalo na ngayong (We were sent here to check on the condition of our beloved OFWs especially now it’s) Christmas season,” she said in a Facebook post on Tuesday, Dec. 13.
She flew to the United States (US) territory with Kabayan Party-list Rep. Ron Salo, who chairs the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs; SAGIP Party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta; COOP NATCCO Party-list Rep. Felimon Espares; and House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs’ Secretary, lawyer Christopher Lomibao.
Arenas said Guam is in need of thousands of skilled Filipino workers. At least 3,000 of them will work in the contruction sector.
“Narito rin po tayo para makipagpulong kay (We are here for a meeting with) Guam Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero para talakayin ang posibilidad na pagkuha ng karagdagang 10,000 skilled Filipino workers na magtatrabaho dito sa Guam. 3,000 po sa mga ito ay kailangan sa (to discuss the possible hiring of 10,000 skilled Filipino workers who will work here in Guam. 3,000 of them are needed in the) construction industry,” her post read.
The lawmaker took pride in the Filipinos’ excellence, which is being recognized in other countries.
“Kaya naman lubos po tayong nagpapasalamat sa pagkilalang ito (That’s why we are very thankful in this recognition),” she wrote.
Arenas assured prospective applicants of a systematic process so they can go abroad to work.
Earlier, Salo shared that Guam complies with the highest standards of working conditions, and follows the $9.25 per hour minimum wage of mainland US.