28/05/2026
Today, I had the honor of representing Governor Carlos Jericho “Icot” Petilla during the Ceremonial Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Anti-Illegal Recruitment and Trafficking in Persons (AIRTIP) led by the Department of Migrant Workers Region VIII.
As I listened to the stories and realities faced by our OFWs, one thing became painfully clear:
Behind every remittance is a sacrifice.
Behind every newly built home is a parent who missed birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, and even ordinary dinners with family.
Behind every “padara la anay” is exhaustion, loneliness, and silent tears hidden behind strong smiles.
Many of our OFWs leave not because they want to leave home…
but because they love their families too much to let them continue suffering.
And perhaps that is why illegal recruitment and trafficking are among the cruelest forms of exploitation.
Because they prey on hope.
They victimize people whose only dream was to give their children a better future.
As government officials, we cannot merely applaud our OFWs during fiestas, airport homecomings, or Christmas reunions.
We must protect them even before they leave.
Today’s signing was more than a ceremony.
It was a promise.
A promise that the Provincial Government of Leyte will continue to stand beside every Leyteño worker chasing hope far away from home.
To all our OFWs across the world:
Thank you for every sacrifice the world does not see.
Thank you for enduring loneliness so your families can dream bigger.
Thank you for carrying the weight of entire households on your shoulders.
Leyte is proud of you.
And no distance will ever change that.
Damo nga salamat ha aton mga modern-day heroes. ❤️🇵🇭
