President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Wednesday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing governance and economic reforms to realize the administration’s goal of making overseas work “a choice rather than a necessity” for Filipinos.

“Our dream is to, one day, make overseas work a choice rather than a necessity,” Marcos said during the 2024 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) conferment ceremony in Malacañang.

“We continue to implement reforms in governance and economic development to provide our people with opportunities here at home,” he added.

Marcos, however, acknowledged that millions of individuals are migrating internationally for work opportunities, including Filipinos.

With this, the government continues to take steps to safeguard the rights and well-being of overseas Filipinos and their families, regardless of their location, the President said.

Among the initiatives he cited include the strengthening labor agreements with foreign countries, conducting aggressive campaigns against illegal recruitment and trafficking, and mobilizing the Agarang Kalinga at Saklolo para sa mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) na Nangangailangan Fund.

The President also highlighted open government communication channels for migrant workers through the One Repatriation command, as well as efforts to facilitate the safe repatriation of OFWs affected by calamities and conflicts.

“Our embassies and consulates abroad remain vigilant in looking after our people wherever they may be in the world,” Marcos said.

In the same speech, Marcos urged the 13 honorees and all Filipinos overseas to continue serving their countrymen and the communities they call home, even as he appealed to the public to draw inspiration from the remarkable contributions of the awardees.

“Our awardees represent the very best of our people and bring immense pride to our country,” he said.

“Your accomplishments span various fields and the noble works that you have done have enhanced the quality of life in your respective communities, both here and abroad.”

The PAFIOO is a biennial award system that recognizes outstanding overseas Filipinos, as well as foreign individuals and organizations, for their exceptional achievements and significant contributions, which include advancing the welfare of overseas Filipinos, supporting national development efforts, or raising the international profile of the Filipino diaspora.

The honorees include Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino awardees Leo-Felix Jurado, United States of America/Lasam, Cagayan; Emilio Quines Jr., USA/Tagudin, Ilocos Sur; The Philippine Nurses Association of New York (PNANY), USA; and the Neurosurgery Outreach Foundation Inc, USA.

The Pamana ng Pilipino awardees are Larry Caramba, Saudi Arabia/Victorias/Negros Occidental; Jane Gerardo-Abaya, Austria/Kalibo, Aklan; Roberto Eusebio Lavides, Canada/Gumaca, Quezon; and Melvin Sanicas, Switzerland/Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

The Banaag awardees are Elvy Barroso, USA/Ligao City, Albay; Zita Cabais, France/Bani, Pangasinan; and Elvira dela Cruz, Morocco/Pozorrubio, Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, the Kaanib ng Bayan awardees are Bader Ahmed Al Zafeen, United Arab Emirates; and Victor Gaina, Moldova. (PNA)