Brussels, Belgium
December 12, 2022

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed to create more employment opportunities and quality jobs for Filipinos working in the Philippines and abroad through his Administration’s 8-point socioeconomic agenda.

“One day, you will no longer be driven by the lack of opportunities in choosing to go abroad. Ang sinasabi namin na ang pagpunta ng Pilipino mag-abroad para magtrabaho ay hindi dahil napilitan,” said the President before his 900-strong supporters who came from different parts of Europe to warmly welcome him and the rest of the Philippine delegation during the Filipino community meeting in Brussels, Belgium.

“But if you still decide to go abroad, it is of course a free choice; it will be because your expertise is needed, because — for your own professional growth or development,” he added.

The Chief Executive also hailed his fellow countrymen who worked as frontliners abroad during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, citing that on top of the economic and health challenges they have experienced, they were also away from their families. Nevertheless, they kept their families secured and the Philippine economy afloat during those hard times.

According to President Marcos Jr., the Philippines-Belgium relations remain “strong and vibrant” owing to the reputation built by Filipinos through their hospitable and friendly nature.

“Some of you were also frontline store workers making sure that the basic needs were available to everyone. Most especially, I note that even during the pandemic, you have continued to send the remittances of your hard work, selflessly, keeping your families secure and our economy afloat,” he stated.

According to Charge d’Affaires Pablito Mendoza of the Philippine Embassy in Belgium, the European country serves as a second home to 6,000 Filipinos who mostly work in the household and healthcare industry.

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