OFW's plight draws VP Sara's attention in Kuwait

Vice President Sara Duterte put the spotlight on the stories of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during a recent trip to Kuwait, where she met with Filipino workers there and heard their grievances about the current state of the country.

- By RAYMUND ANTONIO

Speaking before OFWs during a “Hakbang ng Maisug Gathering” in Kuwait on Friday, Aug. 15, the Vice President lamented many of the stories that she heard from OFWs, noting that none of those she met really wanted to leave the Philippines and leave their families behind.

Duterte bemoaned that seeing the progress in other countries made her wonder why the Philippines couldn’t keep up, too.

“Nagagawa siya sa ibang bansa, pero bakit hindi nagagawa sa atin? Diba? Kung tayo ay mangarap para sa isang bansa, pangarap natin, unang-una, sa ekonomiya, yung mga kababayan natin, hindi na aalis ng Pilipinas dahil walang oportunidad (It is being done in other countries, but why not at home, too? Right? If we are dreaming for a country, our first dream is on the economy, our fellowmen won’t leave the Philippines because of the lack of opportunities),” she said.