TOKYO — Filipinos’ “very good” image in Japan helped the Philippines in securing billions of pesos worth of business deals with leading Japanese firms, President Marcos said as he concluded his five-day official working visit here yesterday.
Marcos said overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are known for their hard work, honesty and fluency in English language, which he said put the Philippines in the global spotlight.
“It’s been easier for all of us who come here because of you, because of the OFWs here in Japan. And let’s include all our OFWs around the world. It became easy – our work became easier because the reputation of Filipinos here in Japan is very good,” the President told almost a thousand Filipinos gathered at the Belle Salle Tokyo Nihonbashi.
“Everyone we talk to, they say, you don’t need to convince us how good Filipinos are because we have employees, we have friends, we know people and we know that Filipinos are kind, hardworking, they’re honest, and English-speaking,” the President said in Filipino.
The Chief Executive underscored the importance of fostering partnerships and alliances amid global turbulence and the threat of climate change.
“We need to talk about all these and we need to study so that our plans would be appropriate for new businesses,” he said.
Marcos also assured them of continued support through the Department of Migrant Workers led by Secretary Susan Ople, who was among the top government officials present at the gathering.
Also joining the President at the event were First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, their son Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, Speaker Martin Romualdez and Cabinet officials.
Marcos’ official visit to Japan seeks to strengthen Manila and Tokyo’s collaboration in a wide range of areas, including agriculture, renewable energy, digital transformation, defense and infrastructure.
A total of 35 investment deals on various areas of cooperation were sealed between Manila and Tokyo on Friday.
The Philippines also sealed bilateral agreements with Japan to boost cooperation in various fields, including infrastructure development, defense, agriculture, and information and communications technology.
PR 001 carrying Marcos and his delegation departed Tokyo at 3:48 p.m. (Tokyo time) and was expected to touch down in Manila on Sunday night.
Japan was Marcos’ ninth foreign trip since assuming the presidency in June last year.