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Overseas Filipino Workers Lauded as ‘New Heroes’

ABU DHABI — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are lauded as the ‘new heroes’ of their country, the backbone of the global workforce, contributor to the country’s economic growth and liberator from economic deprivation, according to the messages from government officials read out at the Philippine Independence Day function here on Friday.

The messages were read out by Philippine representatives under this year’s theme, ‘Kagitingan, Kagalingan at Kasipagan Tungo sa Tunay na Kalayaan’ (Heroism, Intelligence and Diligence toward Real Freedom).

In President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s speech, which was read out by Noel Servigon, Minister and Consul-General of the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, she said: “Where before our heroes fought to gain political freedom, today, we must use our sense of community and solidarity to gain freedom from economic deprivation.”

She also highlighted the measures that she has undertaken to help “stave off the worst of the economic crisis” and calls for further investment in the economy “to provide relief for the poor”.

In conclusion, she commended the OFWs by telling them that “Your services and constant remembrance of your motherland and the Philippines form an important part of our country’s social and economic growth”.

Filipino expatriates who assembled at the embassy also heard messages from Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo, Department of Labour and Employment Secretary Marianito D. Roque, and Department of Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila.

In a solemn ceremony reminiscent of the time when the first Philippine Republican President General Emilio Aguinaldo unfurled the national flag in Kawit, Cavite, the Philippine flag was hoisted at the embassy in Abu Dhabi at 7am. A Thanksgiving mass was held at St Joseph’s Church in the capital from 12 noon.
olivia@khaleejtimes.ae