Thank you to our Executive Secretary, Secretary Luke Bersamin. [Please sit down.]

The Information and Communications Technology Secretary, Secretary Ivan Uy; and of course, our Migrant Workers Secretary Toots Ople and other members of the Cabinet; the Bureau of Immigration Commissioner, Commissioner Norman Tansingco; my fellow workers in government; our modern day heroes of the Philippines, our overseas Filipino workers; all distinguished guests who have joined us here today; ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon.

Staying true to the directive that I delivered during my first State of the Nation Address, the Department of Migrant Workers has taken the necessary steps towards digitalizing its services.

It’s with great pleasure that I join you in launching the DMW Mobile App.

This momentous occasion and it is an important occasion as it marks a significant chapter in our commitment to serve our Overseas Filipino Workers.

It is indeed consistent with our thrust towards government digitalization so that our government can achieve greater efficiency, greater collaboration, [and] enhanced accessibility for all.

This innovative app will revolutionize the way our OFWs access certain services, such as the verification of their contracts and applying for their OFW Pass.

Gone are the days when OFWs had to endure long queues to obtain this certification.

As Secretary Toots was explaining, we are dealing with tens of thousands of applicants and so we have to find — we had to find a better way of processing those applications and providing the protections that we would like to give to our OFWs.

And so now, any OFW has access to this service at their fingertips. Thanks to the collaborative effort of the Department of Migrant Workers, the Bureau of Immigration, and the DICT, entering and exiting Philippine borders will become more efficient than ever.

We owe it to our hardworking migrant workers for making great strides not only for themselves, but for their loved ones and our country.

Our OFWs endure hardships for being far away from their comfort zones to fuel the aspirations of their families and their communities.

So, this initiative is a tribute to their dedication and a reaffirmation of our commitment to their well-being as we continue to find ways to make their lives better no matter where they are.

I acknowledge that the success of this endeavor relies on the cooperation and partnerships amongst many stakeholders.

So, I encourage everyone—from government agencies to the private sector—to join us in this undertaking; to pool our resources and expertise for the effective implementation and improvement of this mobile app.

This is only a glimpse of what this government has in store. We stand at an exciting juncture in our history—a time of technological marvels and boundless possibilities—and we will make sure to build on and integrate the advantages that all these developments bring into public service delivery.

I am delighted to see the outcome of this initiative, especially now that we are striving towards expanding the Department of Migrant Workers’ reach to other countries and digitalizing other OFW services.

Ladies and gentlemen, the launch of the Department of Migrant Workers Mobile App reflects our unwavering duty to the welfare and the protection of our OFWs.

It once again demonstrates our deepest desire to leverage technology for the betterment of their lives and the efficient delivery of government services that they need even if they are far away from home, especially when they are far away from home.

So, together, let us all work to ensure that our migrant workers are supported, empowered, and given every opportunity to succeed in their respective fields in the lands where they choose to live and work.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat at mabuhay ang ating mga minamahal na OFWs! Maraming, maraming salamat at magandang hapon po sa inyo. [applause]

— END —