Melbourne, Australia
March 4, 2024

“The Filipino community’s efforts here have significantly enhanced the Philippines’ image in Australia. Your hard work, your talent, graciousness, your propensity to support those around you reflect the Filipino character… ‘Sumikat po ang Pilipinas dahil sa inyo,’” conveyed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to his countrymen in Australia as he spent time with them before the official meetings at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Australia Special Summit, which is set to begin tomorrow.

“In return for all you have given us, this government is committed to improving life and livelihood for every Filipino wherever they may be. The Philippine economy now is thriving, marked by good growth, optimistic forecasts, record highs on employment, tourism, manufacturing,” the President said. He added that, despite the challenges posed by climate change, technological frontiers and geopolitical realities, the Administration remains optimistic about the country’s partnerships with its ASEAN neighbors and like-minded countries such as Australia.

“With the active participation of all sectors of society, including and especially overseas Filipinos, we are on track to achieve our agenda for social and economic transformation,” he emphasized, commending his countrymen for their significant contributions to the country. He also called on them to continue supporting their fellow Filipinos, especially the elderly living abroad.

He urged them to embrace and celebrate their Filipino heritage and to pass on their love for the Philippines to the younger generation. “Home is where the heart is, so cherish your Filipino identity, because in that way, you remain connected to us, to the Philippines, no matter where you are,” President Marcos Jr. said in his message.

During the event, the President signed the Honour Roll of the City of Melbourne before proceeding to the gathering venue.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are about 408,000 Filipinos in Australia, making them the fifth-largest immigrant community in the country. Most are employed as crafts and related trade workers, professional service and sales workers, and are skilled in agriculture, forestry and fishery work. Others work as technicians, associate professionals and managers.

Another aspect of the community’s presence in Australia is the increasing number of Filipino students seeking higher education. In 2022, there were about 17,825 international students from the Philippines in Australia, ranking as the eighth-largest source and accounting for 3% of the total population of international students.

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Melbourne, Australia
March 4, 2024

“The Filipino community’s efforts here have significantly enhanced the Philippines’ image in Australia. Your hard work, your talent, graciousness, your propensity to support those around you reflect the Filipino character… ‘Sumikat po ang Pilipinas dahil sa inyo,’” conveyed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to his countrymen in Australia as he spent time with them before the official meetings at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Australia Special Summit, which is set to begin tomorrow.

“In return for all you have given us, this government is committed to improving life and livelihood for every Filipino wherever they may be. The Philippine economy now is thriving, marked by good growth, optimistic forecasts, record highs on employment, tourism, manufacturing,” the President said. He added that, despite the challenges posed by climate change, technological frontiers and geopolitical realities, the Administration remains optimistic about the country’s partnerships with its ASEAN neighbors and like-minded countries such as Australia.

“With the active participation of all sectors of society, including and especially overseas Filipinos, we are on track to achieve our agenda for social and economic transformation,” he emphasized, commending his countrymen for their significant contributions to the country. He also called on them to continue supporting their fellow Filipinos, especially the elderly living abroad.

He urged them to embrace and celebrate their Filipino heritage and to pass on their love for the Philippines to the younger generation. “Home is where the heart is, so cherish your Filipino identity, because in that way, you remain connected to us, to the Philippines, no matter where you are,” President Marcos Jr. said in his message.

During the event, the President signed the Honour Roll of the City of Melbourne before proceeding to the gathering venue.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are about 408,000 Filipinos in Australia, making them the fifth-largest immigrant community in the country. Most are employed as crafts and related trade workers, professional service and sales workers, and are skilled in agriculture, forestry and fishery work. Others work as technicians, associate professionals and managers.

Another aspect of the community’s presence in Australia is the increasing number of Filipino students seeking higher education. In 2022, there were about 17,825 international students from the Philippines in Australia, ranking as the eighth-largest source and accounting for 3% of the total population of international students.

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Melbourne, Australia
March 4, 2024

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. takes the honor of personally thanking the Filipino community in Australia for their sacrifices and contributions to the Philippines as he meets them in a gathering in Melbourne on March 4, 2024.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are about 408,000 Filipinos in Australia, making them the 5th largest immigrant community in the country. Most are employed as crafts and related trade workers, professional service and sales workers, skilled agriculture, forestry and fishery workers, technicians, associate professionals and managers.

Another aspect of the community’s presence in Australia is the increasing number of Filipino students seeking higher education. In 2022, there are about 17,825 international students in Australia from the Philippines, ranking as the top 8th source and accounting for 3% of the total population of international students.

The DFA emphasizes that in the whole of Australia, large numbers of the Filipino population reside in the States of New South Wales and Victoria. Today’s program venue, the City of Melbourne, is the capital city of Victoria and Australia’s second largest city.

According to the Philippine Consulate General in Melbourne, the 2021 census showed that the number of residents in Victoria with Filipino ancestry (at least one parent born in the Philippines) stood at 95,186. Majority of Filipinos living in the State of Victoria are based in the Western suburbs of Melbourne. Around 73% of Philippines-born people in Victoria speak Filipino and/or Tagalog at home, while 21% speak English.

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Prague, Czech Republic
March 15, 2024

Amid the warm reception and loud cheers from the Filipinos who gathered in the capital city of Prague, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. concluded his state visit to the Czech Republic through a Filipino community gathering on March 15, 2024.

In his message, the President underscored that the Philippines wants to expand its frontiers and opportunities in the center of Europe which is why he undertook this visit upon the invitation of the Czech government.

“Minabuti kong pumunta sa Czech Republic upang matupad ang tatlong hangarin ng ating pamahalaan: mapagtibay ang ating pakikipagkaibigan sa ating mga katuwang sa Europa upang masiguro ang kapayapaan at pag-unlad; palawakin ang ating komersyo at kalakalan; at maitaguyod ang kapakanan at kaligtasan ng mga manggagawang Pilipino dito sa Czech Republic,” he said.

The Chief Executive relayed that in his meetings with the Czech President, Prime Minister and top officials, Filipino workers are highly regarded and given importance due to their intellect, talents and skills in whatever fields or sectors they are in. As such, the Czech government raised the quota of Filipino workers to fill the gaps in the industries of manufacturing, transportation, agriculture and healthcare. President Marcos Jr. expressed to his counterparts that the Philippine government prioritizes the protection of the Filipino workers’ rights, welfare and well-being.

“At nais kong ipaalam sa inyo na matagumpay na nalagdaan ng DMW [Department of Migrant Workers] at ng MPSV [Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs] ang Joint Communique kahapon sa Prague Castle, upang itaguyod ang pormal na mekanismo ng pagdadayalogo sa larangan ng paggawa. Ito ay malaking tulong sa atin, hindi lamang sa mga kababayan na nandito na sa Czech Republic, kundi para sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino na nagnanais makarating sa bansang ito upang magtrabaho,” the President stated.

He reiterated the Administration’s commitment of providing a principled, accountable and dependable governance to attain the goal of being an upper middle-income or high-income economy in 2025 that will redound to a better future for all Filipino people.

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March 12, 2024

“Your achievements and the recognition you have earned from our German friends are a testament to the excellence that define the Filipinos. Your contributions to the Philippine economy over the years will not be forgotten. ‘Bagong bayani’ we call you, and rightly so,” President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized, expressing his utmost gratitude for the sacrifices and contributions of all overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Federal Republic of Germany toward the progress of the Philippines.

The President made these remarks as he joined our kababayans at a Filipino community gathering in Berlin during his three-day working visit to the European nation. He stressed the unwavering sense of ‘bayanihan’ that continues to be felt and bind Filipinos as a nation anywhere in the world.

“This administration will make sure that those contributions are matched by reforms and programs that each and every member of your family back home benefits from… My Cabinet and I will continue to work hard and persevere to support the growth of our economy,” he conveyed.

“Under the Bagong Pilipinas agenda, we will witness a transformational period of growth, progress and reform. This government is committed to good governance, economic and inclusive development,” President Marcos Jr. added.

The Chief Executive also reported the fruitful outcomes of his first working visit to Germany, where he stated that his productive meetings with his German counterpart and the business community will benefit the entire country, especially the welfare and safety of the Filipinos abroad.

“Our government is committed to supporting our overseas Filipino workers and the broader Filipino community abroad. We are working tirelessly to ensure that you are treated with the dignity and respect you deserve… We strive to protect your rights and welfare, and ensure your well-being and empowerment,” President Marcos Jr. stated.

“Sa Bagong Pilipinas, ang oportunidad ng bawat Pilipino na magkaroon ng kabuhayan ay ating palalguin upang kayo ay hindi na kailangan pang malayo sa inyong mga mahal sa buhay,” he concluded in his message.

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