Filipinos look forward with hope to Duterte’s visit

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Filipinos look forward with hope to Duterte’s visit

Dubai - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to visit the UAE next month

by

Angel Tesorero

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Published: Wed 25 Jan 2017, 4:45 PM

Last updated: Wed 25 Jan 2017, 8:57 PM

Filipinos are eagerly awaiting and the Philippine diplomatic posts will join hands in preparing for a "wonderful visit" of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the UAE in the coming months, consul general Paul Raymund Cortes told Khaleej Times.
Visiting Philippine Foreign Affairs Minister Perfecto Yasay Jr. announced at a town hall meeting with leaders of the Filipino Community at the Canadian University Dubai on Monday night that Duterte is set to visit at least three Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE.
Philippine President Duterte to visit UAE next month
Yasay, who arrived in Dubai for a short lay over on Monday afternoon from Rome after attending the third round of peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines, said: "I came here to prepare the visit of President Duterte next month or so."
"The President would like to address the specific problems related to OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and to see for himself the conditions here," Yasay, a college dorm mate and long-time ally of Duterte, underlined.
There is no specific date and classification yet if the visit will be an official, working or state visit but Yasay said Duterte will stay in the UAE "for a few days to talk to the (UAE) leaders; seek bilateral agreements and sign them to improve the conditions of (Filipino migrant) workers in this part of the world."
"The President intends to visit at least three Middle Eastern countries hopefully by March or April," he added.
Yasay said Duterte strongly campaigned for the rights and welfare of OFWs and the President is candid to deliver his promises early on his six-year term.
According to Yasay the initial plan was to have the UAE visit in January "but because of scheduling problem it was not made possible."
Yasay said that senior officials from the Philippines (Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industry, and Labour) will have a series of meetings with their senior counterparts in the UAE to discuss bilateral agreements prior to Duterte's visit.
"We are looking at trade and commercial relationships," Yasay said. "I'm not too sure about investments in (Philippine) infrastructure for now but suffice it to say that the areas we will cover are in labour, trade and economic activities, particularly in agriculture and fisheries."
Meanwhile, Cortes said Filipinos in the UAE are "hungry for a (Philippine) leader like Duterte. "We are preparing for a huge venue that can accommodate as many people as possible."
Duterte enjoys popular support among Filipinos in the UAE. In the Philippine elections in May last year, an overwhelming 85 per cent of registered Filipino voters selected him in a five-way contest to the presidency.
angel@khaleejtimes.com
Expats speak
Dr. Rommel Sergio
Personally, I am thrilled to see the President in his visit in Dubai. As a presidential awardeee just last December, it is indeed an honor to have a close encounter with our highest official. I anticipate that he has updates on how the quality of OFW programs will be improved and uplift the lives of every Filipino.
Marizel Salvador
I would like him to continue and make good on his promises to OFWs. He should focus on economic reforms, which include eradicating corruption in the government, so we can finally go home and look forward to a better government. We hope in the future working abroad will become just an option and not a necessity to survive.
Eric Lorenzo Biglang-awa
I've been in the UAE since 2007. I look forward to meeting President and hopefull get a selfie with him. Moreover, I want to hear from him how he will tackle issues and problems of some of our distressed kababayans (countrymen).
Hecki Sentillas
We have campaigned hard for him during the election last year. As a sign of our solid support to our elected President, we will hold a Sepaktakraw Challenge during his visit here in the UAE.


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