Ang underscores media role of serving as bridge of information for migrants
CFO Chairman Dante Ang II highlights the critical role of media in shaping the narratives of overseas Filipinos. In his speech during the 2025 Migration Advocacy and Media (MAM) Awards in Muntinlupa City on Dec. 11, 2025, Ang said media served as a bridge of information, helping the public and policymakers understand the realities of the migrant experience.
VIDEO BY JAMES DANIO
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00:00The Commission on Filipinos Overseas, or CFO, is the agency that looks after the permanent and long-term migrants.
00:09There are several migrant-serving agencies in the government system.
00:12DMW is probably better known because they look after OFWs.
00:17Sila po yung mga umalis na Pilipinas with an employment contract.
00:21Yung constituents po ng CFO, ito po yung umalis na Pilipinas with a residency permit.
00:26And whether you are leaving a country permanently or temporarily to work, all Filipinos abroad, the 10.7 million strong diaspora, contributes greatly to the Philippines.
00:41But we also know that they make tremendous sacrifices for themselves at saka for their families.
00:47And those stories we know of, we've heard of, we see from the work of the people we're giving awards to tonight, the MAM Awards.
00:59So, every year po, pinapangaralan ng CFO, yung mga storytellers, journalists, and other creatives who bring to our attention the accomplishments, the sacrifices of our kababayan abroad.
01:18These kababayan, our 10.7 million strong Filipino diaspora, are important strategic partners in our national development.
01:27And that is why we are here, to honor them, and to honor those who tell the stories.
01:32Okay, sir. So, gaano po pahalagay yung papel ng media sa pag-upog ng narratives to go sa mga OFWs na nasa mga panahon ng CFO?
01:41Well, importante po yan. I have a program on IBCU 13. I'm formerly a journalist myself as a newspaper publisher.
01:51Ngayon pong, with the advent of new media and social media, there is a lot of information that can confuse or misinform and distract people.
02:04And so, networks like IBCU 13, branded news tellers, are important because they deliver reliable information through journalism, really, that make individuals free and self-governing.
02:21Napakahalaga po ng story niyan. At napakahalaga po ng gawa ng mga pinakaralan po natin ngayong gabi.
02:27And that's why we are committed to doing this 11 years na po, ang MAM Awards. And we hope to continue for the foreseeable future in the years to come.
02:37Ah, sec. Amo siya po niyo yung pinaka-impact ng itong award na to sa ating mga overseas Filipinos and ating mga Filipino communities living abroad?
02:48Siguro po, you know, hindi po natin siguro fully ma-appreciate. So, wanda po yung ambag ng mga kababayan natin abroad without the work of journalists like you and others who are receiving awards tonight.
03:04So, it's very important po because despite the fact that they give so much back to our country, hindi lang po remittances, although that is important, they transfer their knowledge,
03:15they represent our country abroad, they open channels for our products to be exported in the home countries where they live.
03:25Napakahalaga po nila.
03:27But marami rin po silang sakripisyo.
03:31At I think the whole story gives us a better appreciation of their lives and their contributions po for the country.
03:40Second, I'm sure you go around and meet a number of overseas Filipinos.
03:46Ano po yung satin niyo, hindi lang siya po yung secretary, no, taking care of them.
03:50Ano yung, parang nararamdaman mo na pwede mo pa nagawin para sa kanila?
03:55Napakadami po talaga.
03:57Ah, kasi sa totoo po lamang, bagamat po kami yung older na agency, 45 years old po ang CFO,
04:03ang DMW, baguito lang po, pero parang ang appreciation po namin is medyo unequal.
04:14Of the 10.7 million Filipinos, 30-something percent are OFWs under DMW.
04:20The majority are permanent and long-term migrants, people under CFO.
04:24And yet po, marami pa pong hindi kilala ang CFO, at dahil po hindi ikilala ang CFO,
04:32parang kulang pa po yung pwede, kaya po talagang we're really grateful for the people and institutions that we're honoring tonight
04:38because they bring to everyone's attention that yung iba't ibang nuanced stories ng mga diaspora communities po natin around.
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