The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong, in cooperation with UNTV, a Philippine 24-hour free TV network, held a public viewing of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s annual State of the Nation Address on 23 July 2018 at the Consulate Gallery.

The Consulate welcomed Filipino community members as early as 3 pm for the President’s address scheduled to begin at 4 o’clock in the afternoon. In an interview shortly before the address, Consul General Antonio A. Morales answered questions about common problems encountered by OFWs in Hong Kong and how the Consulate addresses them.

“The Consulate is always committed to improving its service and that it continues to make representations to the Hong Kong government on policies affecting OFWs in Hong Kong through various channels and mechanisms,” Consul General Morales told UNTV in a pre-taped interview.

The audience in the PCG Gallery appeared restless due to an unexpected one-hour delay in schedule. When the President finally appeared on TV in the Session Hall of the Batasang Pambansa, where the House of Representatives normally sits in session, attendees – some 20 workers whose only day off coincided with the speech – showed signs of relief.

The Filipino Community members listened intently as the President discussed his priority legislative agenda to members of Congress. However, no subject drew more positive reactions from the attendees than the President’s reaffirmation of his administration’s commitment to safeguard the rights and welfare of Overseas Filipino Workers.

Aside from Hong Kong, UNTV also had simultaneous remote points in Singapore, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Vietnam, as well as in the UK, the United States, and Canada.