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PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - Filipinos working in Cambodia encounter less problems compared to those employed in other countries, the Philippine ambassador to Cambodia said recently.

“Kami dito sa embassy, medyo hindi kami problematic as far as the OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) here are concerned, unlike in other embassies; Middle East, Hong Kong, and so on, and so forth,” Ambassador Noe Wong told Radio TV Malacanang in an interview.
“It is a reflection of how well-off or gainfully employed yung mga Pilipino dito like…ang mga places where they work like garments, casinos, hotels and restaurants and banks.”

The difference is that in Cambodia, most Filipinos work in supervisory functions, not ordinary workers, Wong said. Many of them work as managers in garments manufacturing, food services and beverage, he added.

The nature and character, the human resource of Filipinos are the basic qualities that make them a little bit above some other Asian people, he said.
Their caring attitude and fluency in the English language are real advantages over other nationalities, he added.
“So, those are some qualities but, of course, talagang yung human resources natin is one thing that really makes us different, it makes a difference,” Wong continued.

Filipino teachers can also seize the opportunity to teach English in Cambodia as many Cambodians aspire to learn the language to catch up with globalization, Wong said.

Currently, there are almost Filipino 400 teachers in Cambodia employed at international schools.
To extend government assistance and give Filipino workers here an opportunity to register, Wong said they have employed mobile consular services to the borders of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

There are currently 4,497 Filipinos officially registered at the Philippine Embassy in Cambodia but the total figure, including those undocumented, could reach around 6,000, Wong said.

Aside from professionals working in private companies, there are those who are employed in international groups like the United Nations Children’s Fund, United Nations Development Programme, and religious and advocacy groups.
President Benigno S. Aquino III is arriving in Cambodia Monday evening to attend the 20th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit and the 45th anniversary of the organization.

BY: PNA