Marcos met with the Filipino community in Cambodia, where he attended the 40th and 41st Association of Southeast Asian nations (Asean) Summits and Related Summits, before his return to the country on Sunday, November 13, 2022.
He expressed gratitude to them not only for their efforts and contribution to the country’s progress and development but also for Cambodia, noting that Prime Minister Hun Sen lauded Filipinos for their “very large part” in reconstructing their country.
“Sa pagtutulungan ng DFA, sa pangunguna ni Kalihim Enrique Manalo at ng pinakabagong ahensya ng ating administrasyon… ang tawag ay DMW, the Department of Migrant Workers na pinangungunahan ni Kalihim Toots Ople, lalo nating pag-iigtingin ang tambalang ito upang makapagbigay ng mabilis at karampatang serbisyo at tulong sa mga overseas Filipinos na nangangailangan ng tulong,” he told the Filipino community in Cambodia.
(With the cooperation of the DFA, led by Secretary Enrique Manalo and the newest agency of our administration… it is called DMW, the Department of Migrant Workers led by Secretary Toots Ople, we will intensify this partnership to provide fast and competent service and assistance to overseas Filipinos in need of assistance.)
Amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, the Philippine government provided assistance for the repatriation of Filipinos from Cambodia.
Marcos said the government also conducted medical repatriations and extended help through the Legal Assistance Fund, which provided Khmer-speaking lawyers to Filipinos facing legal problems in Cambodia.
According to the Philippine consulate in Cambodia, there are more than 5,000 Filipinos living and working in the country, most of them are English teachers and supervisors in clothing and apparel factories and casinos. (SunStar Philippines)