Flag of Hungary (Unsplash)

A proposal from a visiting Hungarian official that was relayed to House Speaker Martin Romualdez bodes well for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Visiting the House of Representatives Wednesday, Jan. 15 was Hungarian Member of Parliament Zsolt Németh. 

Németh, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of Hungary’s National Assembly, was personally received by Romualdez. 

Noting that employers in Hungary are very much satisfied with the high standard of work ethic of Filipino workers, Németh proposed the possible conduct of joint training exercises to expand cooperation in the field of labor.

“Our [OFW] contribute significantly to Hungary’s economy and society, and we thank the Hungarian government for its continued assistance,” Romualdez told the foreign dignitary. 

There are approximately 11,600 Filipinos living and working in Hungary, which is located in Central Europe.

Romualdez, in his interaction with Németh, also expressed gratitude for Hungary’s support in opening the Migrant Workers Office in Budapest. 

The Leyte 1st district congressman and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) also thanked Hungary for supporting the Philippines’ bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2027-2028 term.

As the incoming ASEAN Chair in 2025, Romualdez stressed that the Philippines aims to promote inclusive and innovation-led growth, enhance food security, and pursue maritime cooperation. 

ASEAN stands for Association of Southeast Asian Nations, of which the Philippines is a founding member.

He welcomed Hungary’s intent to accede to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, emphasizing the importance of regional partnerships.

Romualdez thanked Chairman Németh for his visit and his unwavering commitment to strengthening the partnership between the Philippines and Hungary.