Statement on the return of 151 OFWs

The return of 151 overseas Filipino workers to the country is a welcome development, especially because this came a week after we have successfully brought home 15 maltreated and undocumented OFWs from Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

It must be stressed, however, that many are still left behind. The government should intensify its efforts to bring all our suffering kababayans home.

I am sure that like the 15 OFWs we succeeded to bring home, this group of OFWs is relieved that their ordeal is over and happy to be reunited with their loved ones.

It motivates us to carry on with the advocacy to ease the sufferings of Filipinos overseas.

We are able to see the bigger picture of the plight of OFW, when they come home and tell their stories. And then we realize that our efforts should not only consist of short-term solutions to truly and adequately address the needs of our modern-day heroes.