Fairmont Jakarta Hotel, Indonesia
September 4, 2022

“Your good standing in Indonesian society has contributed to sustaining trade, tourism, people-to-people links between our countries. Your success here makes us all back home, very, very, very proud,” stressed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as he joined Filipinos who came from all parts of Indonesia for a community gathering in Jakarta on the first day of his State Visit to the Republic of Indonesia.

The President assured his kababayans, whom he called as ambassadors of goodwill from the Philippines to Indonesia, that he and his Cabinet members are fully committed in ensuring that every Filipino’s economic, social and cultural potential are fully realized in the Philippines.

“Lagi po kayo naming iniisip at prayoridad namin kayo, kayong mga OFW dito sa administrasyong ito dahil – dahil dito asahan po ninyo na magiging fully operational na sa simula ng 2023 ang Department of Migrant Workers sa pamumuno ni Kalihim Susan ‘Toots’ Ople na siyang mangunguna sa lahat – sa pinakabago at isa sa pinaka-importanteng departamento sa aking Gabinete, sa ating gobyerno,” the Chief Executive stated.

There are approximately 3,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Indonesia according to the latest data from the Ministry of Manpower for the first half of 2022. Most of them are based in Jakarta, Riau Province and Riau Islands, Papua, Java and Sumatra. More than 70% of Filipinos in Indonesia are professionals, with nearly 20% employed as consultants by various businesses and companies, as well as teachers, accountants, lawyers, engineers and technical advisers.

In the May 2022 elections, President Marcos Jr. garnered more than 50% of the total votes from overseas Filipinos in Indonesia.

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