Over 60 percent of Filipino workers in Singapore are professionals, Philippine ambassador says
Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Macaraig told the Daily Tribune that more than 60 percent of Filipino workers in Singapore are professionals, among an estimated 220,000 Filipinos in the city-state, and that the embassy has expanded passport appointment slots.
More than 60 percent of overseas Filipino workers in Singapore are professionals, Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Medardo Macaraig said in an interview with the Daily Tribune. "They contribute significantly to the economies of both Singapore and the Philippines," he said.
Macaraig said Singapore is home to an estimated 220,000 Filipinos, citing information from the Department of Migrant Workers, and described it as the highest number recorded during his time in Singapore. He said remittances from Filipinos in Singapore rank second, behind the United States, citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas records.
According to the Daily Tribune, Filipinos in Singapore work in healthcare, hospitality, information technology, engineering, finance and logistics, and some work as domestic helpers. Macaraig said the embassy coordinates with Singapore's Ministry of Manpower, Immigration and Customs Authority and Singapore Police Force to uphold workers' welfare.
Macaraig said the embassy's top priority is the reintegration programme for overseas Filipino workers pushed by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration. "We are trying to get them into entrepreneurship so that when they get back to the Philippines, they can start their own business," he said, adding that financial literacy programmes and information drives on financial scams continue.
He said consular services have increased capacity since the Marcos administration completed a new, larger embassy building, including more passport appointment slots. "There are now more passport appointment slots available than before because we have expanded the number of service locations," Macaraig said. filipinos.sg also reported the ambassador's remarks on 16 October.
Key facts
- Ambassador Medardo Macaraig said more than 60 percent of overseas Filipino workers in Singapore are professionals.
- He said Singapore is home to an estimated 220,000 Filipinos, citing the Department of Migrant Workers.
- Remittances from Filipinos in Singapore rank second behind the United States, he said, citing Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas records.
- Macaraig said consular services, including passport appointment slots, have increased capacity since the embassy's new, larger building was completed.
Official sources
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