It is 15 degrees Celsius here, but the excitement of Filipinos from different parts of South Korea made it feel as if everyone were back home in the Philippines.
A total of 212 Filipinos-some from Busan, Seoul, Ulsan, and Jeju Island-gathered at the Wyndham Grand Busan Hotel for a meet and greet with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Marcos is currently in South Korea to participate in the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju.
One of the attendees, Sonia Madiwo from Ifugao, shared her experience living in South Korea since 2008. She married a Korean national and decided to settle in a foreign land.
‘Our life here is okay. We’re able to get by. Here, no one will go hungry because work is just around the corner. There are plenty of jobs here,’ she told INQUIRER.net.
‘I think the President is already doing everything to provide jobs in the Philippines. So what the youth should do is really study, get training, and then secure a job,’ she also said.
In his remarks, Marcos reiterated his administration’s support for the welfare of OFWs.
‘My fellow Filipinos, I want to assure you, hindi namin kayo nakakalimutan (we never forget you). We are working hard to make sure that government services reach you, all the way here in Korea or wherever you are,’ he said.
‘Our programs for OFWs continue so that you are protected and supported, and have the opportunity to return home and succeed in our own country,’ he also said.
One of these is the upcoming establishment of a Philippine consulate in Busan and a Social Security System office at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.
Based on the latest data from the Department of Foreign Affairs, there are more than 70,000 Filipinos living in Korea, more than 42,000 of whom are OFWs.
Many of the OFWs work in sectors of manufacturing, agriculture, fishing, entertainment, and other industries.