According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority last year, around 2.16 million Filipinos are working abroad as OFWs.
From this data, nearly 77% are in Asian countries, 20% in Saudi Arabia, and 13% in the United Arab Emirates.
In fact, last year, OFWs sent home a total of 238.63 billion pesos.
However, there are times when some Filipinos inadvertently commit crimes.
This is what the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates are now working to address.
Just on October 14, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan held a meeting.
During a phone call, they discussed UAE’s assistance to OFWs in their country.
Here, the President expressed his gratitude for the assistance UAE has extended to OFWs and assured that, as much as possible, our country will reciprocate with aid.
In response, UAE President Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, among the agreements was the granting of pardon to 143 Filipinos in the UAE.
**VANESSA BUGTONG
