ON the last day of the year, Malacañang thanked Congress for the passage of two important measures—the General Appropriations Act of 2022 and Republic Act No. 11641 or the Department of Migrant Workers Act—and thanked the public for its continued support of President Rodrigo Duterte, who recently obtained the highest approval ratings among the government’s top officials.
“Nagpapasalamat po kami sa ating mga kaibigan at kasama sa Lehislatura. Thank you for the hours you put into passing these two key pieces of legislation,” said Acting Presidential Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles at a press briefing on December 31, 2021 in Davao City.
“Our thanks as well to our department officials and experts who contributed time and effort to help our lawmakers craft and pass the Department of Migrant Workers Act and the General Appropriations Act.”
Secretary Nograles quoted the President, who said that the passage of the 2022 GAA “reflects the healthy collaboration among all branches of the government, which is crucial in the attainment of our national development goals during these trying times.”
The Cabinet official likewise underscored the signing of Republic Act No. 11641, which creates the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and said that the new body will be the primary agency under the Executive Branch that will protect the rights and advance the cause of overseas Filipino workers regardless of their status and of the means of entry into the countries of destination.
“The welfare of Filipinos working abroad has always been a top priority of our President, which is why he has always been a vocal supporter of this new body,” Sec. Nograles pointed out.
“All throughout his term, never nag-hesitate ang Pangulo na depensahan at ipaglaban ang kapakanan ng ating mga OFWs––ang ating mga bagong bayani,” he added.
The Palace official explained that the DMW shall absorb the powers, functions, and mandate of the Philippine Overseas Employment Agency and other entities involved in the welfare of migrant workers, including the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs, all Philippine Overseas Labor Offices under the Department of Labor and Employment, among others.
72% approval rating for Duterte
At the same briefing, Nograles also commented on the 72 percent approval rating of President Duterte in the latest Pulse Asia survey conducted from December 1 to 6.
According to Nograles, the survey “reflects the sentiments of our people, who recognize and acknowledge that under the leadership of the President, the government has responded to the concerns and issues relevant and important to our citizenry.”
The Cabinet official also assured the public that the President and his Cabinet will continue to work hard in the months to come “with the interest and the welfare of the Filipino people foremost in his mind.”
Further, Nograles expressed gratitude to the Filipino people for their continued trust and support for President Duterte and his Administration.
“Bagama’t marami po tayong challenges na kasalukuyang hinaharap ay mabilis naman po ang aksyon ni Pangulo, ang pagtugon nya sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan, at syempre nakikita po ng taong bayan ang tunay na malasakit ni Pangulo para sa bawat Pilipino dito sa ating bansa.”
