THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday, June 7, honored Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through a music video in celebration of Migrant Workers’ Day.
“We honor today the selfless sacrifice of our over 10 million kababayans abroad and their contribution to our national development,” said Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola.
“Under the leadership of President Rodrigo Duterte, the DFA assures you that it will continue to promote and protect the interest of overseas Filipino workers around the world,” she added.
“With the song, ‘Superhero’ sung by artist Jed Madela in the background, the music video highlights the heroism and selflessness of the OFWs who chose to be away from their families to work in a foreign country in order to give them a better life, especially at this time of a pandemic as the song lyrics go, they are — more than a superhero,” the agency said.
It added that the photos and video clips included in the tribute video were submitted by the DFA’s foreign service posts that coordinated with the Filipino communities in their jurisdictions.
As of December 2019, the DFA estimated that there are over 10 million Filipinos overseas, of which three million are temporary migrants or OFWs. The Asia and the Pacific region and the Middle East account for 87% of the total number of OFWs.
Currently, the DFA is facilitating the repatriation of distressed Filipinos from all over the world. As of June 5, the agency has repatriated a total of 35,411 overseas Filipinos.
“The DFA is always ready to assist Filipinos all over the world through its Foreign Service Posts. OFWs in distress are reminded to contact the nearest Embassies or Consulates General in their area or get in touch with the DFA Office of Migrant Workers’ Affairs,” the agency said.
