Secretary Manalo Sends Off Outgoing Omani Ambassador

PASAY CITY 17 August 2022 – Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique A. Manalo received outgoing Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the Philippines Munther Mahfoodh Al Mantheri for a farewell call on 15 August 2022. Ambassador Al Mantheri has held his position since 2013 and is expected to end his tour of duty by the end of August 2022.

During the farewell call, Secretary Manalo expressed appreciation for the Oman Government’s implementation of an amnesty program which exempted Overseas Filipino Workers from paying fees and fines due to their expired work permits. The program allowed Filipinos to return safely to the Philippines amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Secretary Manalo likewise acknowledged the Oman Government’s recognition of migrant workers’ rights, noting that Oman is one of the countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which tallied a low number of distressed OFWs. He also conveyed his profound gratitude to the Omani Government for assisting in the rescue of a Filipino seafarer captured in Yemen.

On trade and investments, Secretary Manalo recognized the potential of growing PH-Oman bilateral trade relations. He likewise lauded Oman’s Sovereign Wealth Fund program which allowed the Sultanate to overcome economic challenges such as the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic and fluctuations in the price of oil.

The Sultanate of Oman is home to approximately 45,000 OFWs working as, among others, household service workers, retail industry workers, workers in the hospitality industry, healthcare workers, and teachers. END