LOVING LIBERIA. More than an official mission, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac’s (top photo, left) return to Monrovia in Liberia is a personal homecoming that also led to an unexpected reunion with old schoolmate-turned-Philippine Honorary Consul to Monrovia Marwan Ezzat Eid (top photo, right). Cacdac’s relationship with Liberia dates back to his teenage years (bottom photo) in the West African country as a son of an overseas Filipino worker. (Photo grabbed from Hans Leo Cacdac Facebook page)
MANILA – For Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, finally returning to Liberia, and walking the familiar streets of its capital, Monrovia, brings back nostalgia and happy memories, which have played a significant part in who he is today.
“After 37 long years, I am returning to the land where I lived as an OFW [overseas Filipino worker] child. Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa. My Dad was an engineer for the Voice of America for 30 years,” Cacdac happily posted on his Facebook page, reflecting his excitement in returning to a country he once lived in.
Decades ago, he walked the streets of Monrovia as a teenager and a son of an OFW in a city far from home.
Cacdac’s return to Liberia, which is home to more than 5 million people, was an official mission that mirrored his personal story, that is, to protect and uplift the lives of OFWs.
In going back, Cacdac did not want to miss visiting his beloved alma mater, as he was once one of the few Filipino high school students at the American Cooperative School (ACS), now called the American International School of Monrovia.
In a twist of fate, the visit also reunited him with the newly appointed Philippine Honorary Consul in Monrovia, Marwan Ezzat Eid.
“Good to be back in Liberia! I belong to High School Class of 1985 of the Liberian American School. Our Honorary Consul Marwan Eid also went to the same school. Thank you, Principal Cassandra Hazel, for the trip down memory lane,” Cacdac’s post read.
Cacdac, born to Filipino parents, and Eid to a Lebanese family, were both sons of migrant families who had come to Liberia seeking better opportunities.
They grew up in Monrovia, studied at the same school, walked the same corridors, shared common friends, learning experiences, and fond memories of their formative years in the Liberian capital.
And now, both serve in public roles dedicated to helping Filipinos overseas.
Eid is known for his long-standing advocacy for Filipinos in Liberia, as his family’s business has employed many Filipinos over the years, earning him deep respect in the community.
In his official visit, Cacdac aims to meet and discuss with Liberia’s Labor Minister Cooper Kruah Sr. and Maritime Authority Deputy Commissioner John Harvey ways to deepen the bilateral labor relations between the Philippines and Liberia.
The proposed agreement aims to protect land-based and sea-based OFWs, promote fair and ethical recruitment, ensure compliance with international maritime labor standards, and expand access to welfare services.
Liberia is home to an estimated 300 OFWs, mostly in services, healthcare, and private enterprises. Its maritime industry is one of the largest in the world, with thousands of Filipino seafarers working on Liberia-flagged ships.
The Freeport of Monrovia also serves as a key anchorage and boarding point for Filipino crews deployed across international waters.
This underlines the significance of creating strong labor and diplomatic ties between the Philippines and Liberia.
“This visit has reminded me not only of where I came from, but also of the enduring spirit of support that exists among our partners and friends abroad. Together, we will continue to strengthen our commitment to every Filipino worker, wherever they may be,” Cacdac said. (PNA)
