PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. met on Sunday, September 18, 2022, the members of the Filipino community in New Jersey and recognized their sacrifices and contribution to the country’s economic recovery amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.Prior to his engagements in relation to the 77th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Marcos met with the Filipinos at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.In his speech, the President acknowledged the role, especially of the overseas Filipino workers (OFW), in pandemic recovery, especially the remittances that help support the economy’s recovery from the health crisis.“‘Yung remittances na pinadala ninyo, alam ko ang iniisip ninyo ay tulungan ang mga pamilya ninyo. Pero kahit hindi niyo nararamdaman, malaking naitulong ninyo sa ekonomiya ng Pilipinas. At siguro hindi lang malaki ang naitulong, binuhay ninyo ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas,” he said.“We have over 10 million kababayans all over the world, and as your President, I understand and know fully well the significant impact of the Philippine diaspora on our motherland, especially in terms of supporting our post-pandemic economic recovery,” he added.Marcos is set to deliver the country’s national statement at the 77th United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, September 20.He said the statement will be centered on the country’s vision of people-centered development, highlighting his administration’s thrust for recovery after years of pandemic-induced lockdowns.Marcos said he will also share the country’s views on various global concerns, as well as “the role the Philippines will play as a responsible member of the family of nations in addressing these concerns.”“In the coming days, so besides the meetings with the political leadership, it will also be for potential investors, other business leaders dahil gusto natin para paahunin nga natin, para pasiglahin natin ang ekonomiya na makapag-invest at ‘pag nag-invest mayroong bagong negosyo. Kapag may bagong negosyo, may trabaho,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)