MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has urged Filipinos working in Brunei to return to the Philippines and invest in their own businesses here.
In a meeting with the Filipino community in Bandar Seri Begawan on Tuesday night, President Marcos said it is time to return to the Philippines since the economy is “looking up.”
“One of the promises I made when I first took my oath as President was to create more jobs in the Philippines so that working abroad will only become a career choice and not the only option for hardworking men and women of the Philippines,” Marcos said.
“Bukod sa mga remittances na nanggaling sa inyo, sa ating mga OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), I also encourage all of you to someday to return, and invest, and set up your own business at home and in the Philippines,” he added.
“Alam po natin na kapag masigla ang ekonomiya, maayos ang kabuhayan. Things are looking up for the Philippine economy,” the Chief Executive further said.
President Marcos also thanked the overseas Filipino workers in Brunei for their “unparalleled skills” and “strong work ethic.”
“You may all have different professions, [but] what we bring to all that we do, not only in the Philippines, but even abroad, as is proven by the record that Filipinos have made and the reputation that you have gain that what we bring is a special brand of Filipino service everywhere we go,” Marcos said.
According to data from the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are around 20,000 Filipinos in Brunei. They accounted for the $28.53 million remittances in 2023./PN
