Philippines to establish overseas labor office in Bangkok

BANGKOK — The Philippines will open a new overseas labor office in Bangkok, key officials announced on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in the Thai capital.

In a speech before the Filipino community, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. asked Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople to announce the development.

“Magkakaroon na kayo ng POLO (Philippine Overseas Labor Office) sa Bangkok [You will now have a POLO office in Bangkok],” the secretary said.

The POLO links the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to other countries, acting as its operating arm for the administration and enforcement of its policies and programs applicable to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

According to Marcos, the development was coordinated by Ople prior to his arrival in Bangkok.

“Malaking bagay yan, at magiging mas madali lahat ng kailangan ninyong gawin kaya’t talagang maasahan natin itong si Secretary Toots dahil matagal na niyang adbokasiya ‘yan, matagal na niyang trabaho ‘yan,” he said.

(This is a big deal, and it will make things easier. Secretary Toots is really reliable because this has long been her advocacy. This has long been her job.)

Prior to her appointment in June, Ople headed the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute and was an undersecretary of DOLE under the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Marcos and some members of the Cabinet were in Bangkok to attend the APEC Summit, where economic leaders gathered from across the region to discuss revitalizing recovery, reviving growth, and integrating inclusivity.

The President also had bilateral meetings with counterparts from China, Saudi Arabia, France, New Zealand, and Australia.

Marcos is scheduled to return to Manila on Saturday evening. — VBL, GMA Integrated News