CBCP urges public to help promote welfare of OFWs

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) has appealed to the public to help promote the welfare and rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as a way to appreciate their contribution to the country’s economy through billions worth of remittances. (PNA photo)

MANILA—The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People (CBCP-ECMI) has appealed to the public to help promote the welfare and rights of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as a way to appreciate their contribution to the country’s economy through billions worth of remittances.

“We at CBCP ECMI appeal that to show our gratitude to them (OFWs) is to protect them and to promote their rights and dignity,” Bataan Bishop Ruperto 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,” the Balanga prelate added.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that the total remittance of Filipinos working abroad amounted to PHP0.7 billion for the first quarter of 2017.

The figure is 8.1 percent higher than the figure in the same period last year.

“With PHP0.7 billion first quarter remittance of our OFW truly manifests that they sustain and support our country. With their sacrifices and sacrifices they uplift our economy and build up our image as honest, hardworking and trustworthy Filipinos,” he said.

Santos added, “Our OFW are not our modern day heroes, they are our blessings. They are the best, our outstanding Filipinos in the world.”