House Speaker Martin Romualdez highlighted on Sunday, June 8 the importance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong and assured them that they would never be left behind by the Marcos administration.
Romualdez, the Lakas-Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president, made the statement in Hong Kong where he led the grand opening of the DMW-OWWA OFW Global Centre and the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo–OFW Serbisyo Caravan.
Members of the House of Representatives, labor and OFW affairs officials headed by Department Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Cacdac, and other agency officers attended the event.
“Today, we open not just the doors of a new facility - we open the doors to better service, deeper care, and a stronger commitment to our Bagong Bayani - our OFWs,” Speaker Romualdez said.
He said the DMW-OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) OFW Global Centre "was born out of a clear directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.: Make government more accessible to every Filipino abroad".
He highlighted that representatives from major government agencies had flown to Hong Kong to deliver frontline services to OFWs.
“Kasama rin natin ngayon ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan na lumipad at lumapit sa inyo, dala ang kanilang serbisyo—mula sa SSS, Pag-IBIG, PhilHealth, hanggang sa DSWD, PSA, PRC, at marami pang iba. This is the spirit of the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo – OFW Serbisyo Caravan,” he said.
(Joining us today are various government agencies that have traveled to be here, bringing their services directly to you—from SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth to DSWD, PSA, PRC, and many more.)
“We are bringing the whole of government to you--hindi niyo na kailangang umuwi para mag-asikaso ng inyong mga pangangailangan. Ang gobyernong tunay na nagmamahal sa OFW - ang gobyernong marunong lumapit, makinig, at kumilos,” the House leader said.
(You no longer need to return home just to take care of your essential needs. A government that truly cares for OFWs is one that reaches out, listens, and takes action.)
Romualdez said it was a great honor to stand with OFWs in Hong Kong, describing them as one of the most hardworking, resilient, and inspiring Filipino communities in the world.
He added that for the first time, Filipino workers in the Chinese Special Administrative Region “will have a dedicated space for training, empowerment, and even just a quiet cup of coffee on your rest day".
“This center is yours - it is a home away from home. Kung may bagong puso ang Bagong Pilipinas, kayo po iyon - ang ating mga OFW (If Bagong Pilipinas has a new heart, then that is you--our OFWs),” he underscored.
The Speaker assured them that the House of Representatives remains fully committed to championing legislation that protects, empowers, and honors our OFWs.
“You deserve nothing less. Because when we talk about building a Bagong Pilipinas, we’re not just building it for you - we’re building it with you” he said.
Recognizing the immense sacrifices of OFWs for their families and the country, Romualdez reaffirmed the government's commitment to fight for their rights and welfare.
“You have sacrificed so much. You have given so much. Kaya’t kami sa pamahalaan ay lalaban para sa inyo - para sa inyong karapatan, para sa inyong kinabukasan, at para sa kinabukasan ng inyong pamilya,” he said.
(And so, we in the government will fight for you—for your rights, for your future, and for the future of your family.)
“Let this center be a symbol of our commitment to serve—not just in words, but in action.” he said.
Tingog Party-list Reps. Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre also delivered special messages to the OFW community during the event.
The Speaker extended his gratitude to DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac, OWWA Administrator Patricia Caunan, other government officials, and House members for their collective effort in making the OFW Global Centre in Hong Kong a reality.