MANILA, Philippines- Nakipagpulong si Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. sa mga miyembro ng Filipino community sa Honolulu, Hawaii.
Binigyang-diin niya ang malaking naging ambag ng mga ito sa economic development ng United States island state.
“Over the years, Filipino-Americans and Filipinos have contributed such a great deal to Hawaii’s economic development,” ayon kay Pangulong Marcos sa kanyang naging talumpati sa Hawaii Convention Center.
Sinabi pa ng Pangulo na mahigit sa isang siglo, ang presensya ng mga Filipino ay naging bahagi ng Hawaiian culture, kabilang na ang iba’t ibang industriya gaya ng turismo, kalusugan, edukasyon, negosyo, political representation at pagkain.
“I know that Filipino cuisine is a staple even among non-Filipino friends and family now, and with 25 percent of the population of the state of Hawaii having roots in the Philippines, our rich and diverse culture has become deeply intertwined in the social fabric of the Aloha state. That is how deep the connection between us has been and will always be,” ang pahayag pa rin ng Pangulo.
Sa kabilang dako, pinuri naman ng Chief Executive ang mga Filipino sa paglikha ng positibong imahe sa Hawaii.
“We see now, many very successful second- and third-generation Filipinos as well as present-day migrants who are an indelible part of our society,” sabi ng Punong Ehekutibo.
“Because of you, the Philippines enjoys a very positive image in Hawaii. Thank you for all that you do for our country,” aniya pa rin.
Ginamit naman ng Pangulo ang pagkakataon para pasalamatan ang mga tumulong sa kanyang pamilya sa pananatili ng mga ito sa Hawaii at suporta sa panahon ng eleksyon.
“Even from the time of my father, you have been by our side in our quest to serve the country. From the bottom of my heart, I must say thank you for trusting me, for believing in this leadership and in return, I and my administration will be hard at work and have been hard at work from day one to ensure that we accomplish all that we have set out to do,” wika niya.
Binigyang-diin ng Pangulo ang malakas na economic growth ng bansa, idagdag pa na ang Pilipinas ay “equipped to withstand various external risks and challenges.”
Tinuran pa nito na maganda ang pagganap ng Pilipinas sa ibang bansa sa rehiyon.
“With the active participation of all sectors of society including overseas Filipinos, we can be on track in achieving [a] social and economic transformation agenda towards a prosperous, inclusive, and resilient Philippines,” sabi niya.
Ang pagbisita ng Pangulo sa Hawaii ay “last stop” ng kanyang weeklong trip sa United States, kasunod ng kanyang pagdalo sa 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting and related activities sa San Francisco at kanyang working visit sa Los Angeles, kapwa sa California.
Habang nasa Honolulu, nakatakdang bumisita ang Pangulo sa US Indo-Pacific Command headquarters, mayroong capability orientation para sa Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam/West Philippines Sea Support, dadalo sa barge tour at wreath-laying ceremony, at magpartisipa sa roundtable meeting sa Daniel Inouye Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies. Kris Jose
