AGIMAT Party-list Rep. Bryan Revilla remains shaken by the fate of Maryan Pascual Esteban, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who perished in the deadly Nov. 26 fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po District, Hong Kong.

Revilla was reminded of Esteban's story, as well as the plight of other OFWs over the weekend as he was among those who formally received the latter's remains at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

“Ang maayos at marangal na pag-uwi ng kanyang labi ay isang malinaw na mensahe na hindi natin pababayaan ang ating mga Bagong Bayani (The dignified and honorable return of her remains is a clear message that we will never abandon our Modern-Day Heroes)," Revilla said.

Revilla recalled that immediately after the tragedy, he flew to Hong Kong on Dec. 7 at the behest of House Speaker Bojie Dy to personally assess the situation of affected Filipino workers and ensure that immediate assistance was extended, particularly to the families of Esteban and fellow OFW Rhodora Alcaraz.

“Kalunos-lunos man ang sinapit ni Maryan, taos-puso po tayong nakikiramay sa kanyang naiwang pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay (Though Maryan’s fate was heartbreaking, we sincerely extend our condolences to her bereaved family and loved ones),” he said.

Revilla added that coordination remains ongoing to ensure her proper transfer to her final resting place in Isabela and continued support for her family in the days ahead.

The Cavite-based expressed his gratitude to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), led by Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac; the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) under Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan; and the DMW Migrant Workers Offices Operations Support Bureau (MWOOSB) for their swift and compassionate action in facilitating the repatriation.

He says that the tragic loss underscores the everyday risks OFWs face abroad and highlights the importance of strong, responsive government institutions that can act decisively during crises.

The AGIMAT Party-list lawmaker echoed this message during the 2025 Migrant Workers Offices Command Conference of the DMW, held from Dec. 16 to 19 at the Conrad Hotel Manila.

As chairman of the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs, Revilla emphasized the vital role of frontline service workers who respond to legal, welfare, and emergency concerns of OFWs across borders.

“Kayo po ang patunay na ang serbisyo publiko ay may puso, malasakit, at malinaw na layunin. Araw-araw, tahimik ninyong sinasagot ang pinakamahalagang tanong: ‘Para kanino?’ At malinaw ang sagot - para sa kapwa Pilipino,” he said.

(You are proof that public service has heart, compassion, and a clear purpose. Every day, you quietly answer the most important question: ‘For whom?’ And the answer is clear—for our fellow Filipinos.)

During the conference, Revilla also shared recent legislative developments, including the passage of the OFW Balikbayan Act on third and final reading in the House of Representatives. He described it as a commitment to ensure that every returning OFW is welcomed with dignity, opportunity, and real support.

“This will be more than a law. It is a promise that every OFW will return to a homeland that honors them,” he said.

Drawing from the Hong Kong fire tragedy, Revilla stressed that while OFWs continue to face dangers such as unsafe environments, disasters, and abuse, they are not alone due to the dedication of government personnel stationed abroad.

“These are our unsung heroes - our labor attachés, welfare officers, and assistance-to-nationals officers - who serve as the vital link between our distressed OFWs abroad and the support systems here in the Philippines,” he said.

Revilla concluded by calling for continued prayers and solidarity for the family of Maryan Pascual Esteban and reiterated his commitment to advancing policies that safeguard the safety, security, and dignity of Filipino workers overseas.

“Sa ngayon, ang ating dasal ay kapayapaan at lakas ng loob para sa pamilya ni Maryan. Bilang boses ng ating mga Bagong Bayani, mananatili po tayong nakaalalay at patuloy na magsusulong ng mga panukala para sa kanilang kapakanan.”

(For now, our prayer is for peace and courage for Maryan’s family. As the voice of our Modern-Day Heroes, we will remain steadfast in support and continue to advance measures for their welfare.)