President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. commended the Filipino community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for their contributions to both their host country and the Philippines, calling overseas Filipinos a “source of pride and honor” for the nation.
Addressing around 700 members of the Filipino community at the InterContinental Hotel in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Marcos underscored the vital role Filipinos have played in the UAE’s development since its founding in 1971.
“Kayo po ang nagbibigay ng karangalan sa ating bansa sa pamamagitan ng inyong kontribusyon sa United Arab Emirates, sa magandang ehemplo na inyong ipinakita sa inyong trabaho, sa inyong mga kapwa Pilipino, sa pamahalaan ng UAE, sa iba’t ibang mga lahi na naninirahan dito, at sa kontribusyon ng inyong ibinigay sa ekonomiya sa ating minamahal na Pilipinas (You bring honor to our country through your contributions to the United Arab Emirates, through the good example you show in your work, toward fellow Filipinos, the UAE government, the various nationalities living here, and through your contributions to the economy of our beloved Philippines),” the President said.
The President also praised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their resilience and hard work, saying their dedication has earned the respect of employers, communities, and leaders across the globe.
He assured OFWs that the Philippine government remains committed to protecting their welfare and implementing programs that address their needs.
“We envision a future where every Filipino, at home or abroad, has a chance to succeed,” Marcos said.
He also cited efforts to expand employment opportunities and strengthen economic ties with the UAE through trade and investment cooperation, noting that such initiatives aim to give Filipino workers and entrepreneurs access to broader markets and diverse industries.
Marcos encouraged Filipinos to pursue lifelong learning and skills development, and urged them to sustain the spirit of “bayanihan” (cooperation) by supporting one another and growing together as a community.
During his two-day working visit to the UAE, Marcos witnessed the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. A Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation was also signed.
The President said the agreements would further strengthen trade, security, and overall partnership between the Philippines and the UAE.
Also present during the event were First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Finance Acting Secretary Frederick Go, Presidential Communications Office Acting Secretary Dave Gomez, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan, and Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ver. (PNA)