BALANGA City: Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos on Sunday said he hopes that President Rodrigo Duterte will include in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 24 the creation of a Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (DOFW). “Be grateful to the sacrifices and services of overseas workers who are willing to bear separation and loneliness for the betterment of their families,” the bishop added. He said Monday’s SONA, Duterte’s second, is and should not be a mere fashion statement but the fulfillment of campaign promises. President Duterte has strongly discouraged such apparent flaunting of status and wealth beginning with his first SONA last year. Aside from care for OFWs, Santos said the basic needs that government should look into are peace and security, the traffic problem and stable and secure jobs for all.

Source: Manila Times July 23, 2017 12:22 UTC