President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday vowed to strengthen the relationship between the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as part of the government’s efforts to promote the welfare of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Emirates, saying he also wants to visit Dubai and attend this year’s UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP).
The President made the statement at the sidelines of the International Trade Forum organized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City.
UAE Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary H.E. Mohamed Obaid Salem Alqataam Alzaabi paid a courtesy visit to President Marcos on Tuesday and reaffirmed their commitment to support the environmental programs and the economy of the Philippines.
As part of his visit, the UAE Ambassador invited President Marcos to attend the 2023 COP, which will be held in December this year at the Expo City in Dubai.
“I hope to be able to attend because climate change is a primordial issue when it comes to the Philippines. So, I hope that we will be able to attend. And beyond the Conference of Parties is that we also want to fortify our ties with the UAE,” President Marcos said when asked for his reaction to the invitation of the UAE Ambassador to attend the COP.
“Ang daming Pilipino doon. Kaya’t kailangan makatiyak tayo na patuloy ang kanilang magandang pagtrato sa ating mga kababayan sa UAE. And they have been very welcoming. They have treated our people very well. They have protected them and they have allowed them to make a living in the United Arab Emirates,” he added.
The chief executive said that UAE’s excellent treatment of the Filipino workers in their country is something that the Philippines hope to continue “and even progress further.”
President Marcos was accompanied by the UAE Ambassador when he visited the Mayon Volcano victims in Albay on Wednesday and personally monitored their condition amid the volcano’s continued unrest.
“Kaya ko sinama siya kahapon, ang Ambassador ng UAE, dahil sila talaga ay mabilis na nakapagbigay ng tulong kaagad. Hindi pa tayo humihingi, nagparating na sila nung mga pagkain, ‘yung mga relief goods, ‘yung gamot. Kaya’t kailangan, kaya ko sinama para naman makita niya kung saan pumunta ‘yung kanilang tulong,” President Marcos said.
President Marcos said that the Philippines is grateful for the assistance of the government of the UAE. *PND*
