Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Alberto Romulo on Friday praised overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for their perseverance and thanked them for their contribution to the growth of the Philippine economy. In his Christmas message posted on the DFA website, Romulo said "Especially this Christmas, we pray for the safety and well-being of our beloved overseas Filipinos and their families." "May all of your sacrifices in the name of family bring forth dreams fulfilled and a brighter future," Romulo said. Romulo also thanked the Philippines' Foreign Service personnel in 94 Philippine embassies, consulates general and missions "who faithfully serve at the frontlines of Philippine diplomacy and consular services." "We acknowledge the service they provide to the Filipino people," he said. He said the foreign service posts administered the overseas absentee voting in the May 2010 elections. Through their efforts, Filipinos abroad had the chance to exercise their right to vote, "thus demonstrating their commitment to democratic ideals," Romulo said. International stage On the international stage, Romulo said the DFA was fully behind President Benigno Simeon Aquino III's foreign policy. "The DFA participated in the following international fora where the Philippines made great strides in advancing our interests," he said. He said these included:
the 65th United Nations General Assembly, the 2nd ASEAN-US Leaders Meeting, the signing of the MCA Compact Agreement, pull-aside talks with US President Barack Obama and bilateral meetings with Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore, as well as business meetings promising P2.7 billion worth of investments in New York; The State Visit and the 17th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits in Hanoi, Vietnam, where the ASEAN member-states adopted Aquino's proposal for an ASEAN Nautical Highway or an ASEAN Ro-Ro; and The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meet in Yokohama, Japan where Aquino secured investment pledges worth $3.655 billion from three Japanese companies. Romulo also noted that Aquino, in his first 100 days in office, interceded for the lives of Filipinos facing death penalties in Malaysia and China. "Under his guidance, government representations continue for the commutation of death penalty cases in the Middle East. Distressed OFWs in Kuwait, Bahrain, Jeddah, Maldives and Martinique have been repatriated in addition to seafarers rescued from Somali waters," he said. Passport services Meanwhile, complying with Aquino's marching orders for more efficient public services, Romulo said the passport application process has been improved such that the waiting time from entry to exit has been reduced to an hour or less. Special passport lanes have also been dedicated to OFWs, senior citizens, People with Disabilities, and families with small children. "An on-line passport appointment system and ePayment of passport fees through Land Bank of the Philippines are now available, along with a passport delivery service system nationwide," he said. "These improvements demonstrate the Department's unfailing resolve to heed the clamor for change," he added. "With all of these achievements of the Department this year, the Yuletide season brings with it more than the usual holiday cheer; we have every reason to keep the faith with the promise of a better country for our people," Romulo said. – VVP, GMANews.TV 
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