May 31, 2009: MANILA, Philippines -- President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo told Filipino workers in South Korea on Sunday that the Philippines was “holding [its] own” despite the global crisis and promised help for overseas workers who might lose their jobs and be forced to go home.
In a speech before the Filipino community in Seoul, which was aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, she said the global market for Filipino workers remained “high and resilient.”
“One blessing that we should count is that in spite of the global economic downturn, our growth rate remains positive,” she said.
“[But] that doesn’t mean we have not been affected. We have been affected, but we are holding our own and we remain cautiously optimistic that our resources and plans will allow us to manage our ways through this difficult time,” she said.
Arroyo, who is on the first leg of her two-nation trip, said she was aware at least 50 Filipinos had lost their jobs and planned to return home.
She said workers in such a situation could borrow from the P1-billion fund set up by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
They can also receive additional skills training under a P3-billion fund earmarked for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, she said.
“We are carrying out this program of full reciprocity to help expatriate workers returning home from their host countries that are now being buffeted by the economic crisis,” she said.
Arroyo said the Philippines had also signed several bilateral agreements, including one on an employment permit system for workers which would provide the “legal pathway for Filipinos to work in Korea.
From Seoul, Arroyo proceeded to Jeju Island for the summit between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The summit will discuss ways to strengthen ASEAN-South Korea cooperation in the political, security, economic and social-cultural fields, Malacañang said. The leaders will also discuss the global financial crisis, energy security, and climate change.
From Korea, Arroyo will fly to St. Petersburg, Russia for an economic summit. - Christian V. Esguerra, Philippine Daily Inquirer
In a speech before the Filipino community in Seoul, which was aired over state-run Radyo ng Bayan, she said the global market for Filipino workers remained “high and resilient.”
“One blessing that we should count is that in spite of the global economic downturn, our growth rate remains positive,” she said.
“[But] that doesn’t mean we have not been affected. We have been affected, but we are holding our own and we remain cautiously optimistic that our resources and plans will allow us to manage our ways through this difficult time,” she said.
Arroyo, who is on the first leg of her two-nation trip, said she was aware at least 50 Filipinos had lost their jobs and planned to return home.
She said workers in such a situation could borrow from the P1-billion fund set up by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
They can also receive additional skills training under a P3-billion fund earmarked for the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, she said.
“We are carrying out this program of full reciprocity to help expatriate workers returning home from their host countries that are now being buffeted by the economic crisis,” she said.
Arroyo said the Philippines had also signed several bilateral agreements, including one on an employment permit system for workers which would provide the “legal pathway for Filipinos to work in Korea.
From Seoul, Arroyo proceeded to Jeju Island for the summit between South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The summit will discuss ways to strengthen ASEAN-South Korea cooperation in the political, security, economic and social-cultural fields, Malacañang said. The leaders will also discuss the global financial crisis, energy security, and climate change.
From Korea, Arroyo will fly to St. Petersburg, Russia for an economic summit. - Christian V. Esguerra, Philippine Daily Inquirer
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