OFWs deserve better protection — bishop

The overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) deserve to get the support and protection they deserve for their sacrifices and for their contributions to the Philippine economy, a Catholic bishop said.

Bishop Ruperto Santos, chairman of the Church’s Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People, said the OFWs are not just “modern day heroes” but “our blessings”.

“To show our gratitude to them is to protect them and to promote their rights and dignity,” Santos said.

“To value their labors is to take care of remittances that this remittances will not be stolen, corrupted and misused for non essential or non existent government projects,” he said.

Cash remittances from OFWs reached their highest monthly level in March with $7.71 billion, up by 8.1 % compared to the same period last year.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas attributed the increase in remittances to the strong demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad.

Bishop Santos said this manifests that the OFWs sustain and support the country. “They are the best, our outstanding Filipinos in the world,” he added.

“With their sacrifices they uplift our economy and build up our image as honest, hardworking and trustworthy Filipinos,” he said. Niceforo Vince A. Balbedina III, CSJL intern/CBCPNews