Distressed OFWs in Jeddah get aid from PRRD, DFA

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on November 28, 2019. VALERIE ESCALERA/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Christmas came early for less than 200 Philippine Consulate General wards here after they received care packages and financial assistance from President Rodrigo R. Duterte and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

During a meet-and-greet on Saturday at the Consulate General here, Chief of Presidential Protocol and Presidential Assistant on Foreign Affairs Robert Borje and Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola led the handover of care packages to Philippine Consulate General (PCG) wards together with Consul General Edgar Badajos.

The PCG wards awaiting repatriation remain at the Philippine Consulate General while their cases are being processed.

Most of the cases are non-payment of salaries, Consulate General officials said.

During the event, Borje conveyed President Duterte’s continuing personal concern for the plight of OFWs.

Borje said the President has always been close to OFWs since he was a mayor of Davao City and that the Duterte administration is working hard to address OFW concerns.

The President said during his visit to the Middle East In 2017 that his government continues to strive to provide a comfortable life to Filipinos so that working overseas becomes no longer a need but a choice.

President Duterte extended his warm Christmas greetings to OFWs at the Consulate General through a special video message played during the meet-and-greet.

The President thanked the OFWs for their hard work, loyalty to the country as well as for their support to his government. He also encouraged them to obey the law.

“Malayo man kayo sa ating bansa, malapit pa rin kayo sa puso ng inyong mga mahal sa buhay, sa inyong pamilya at mga kaibigan (You may be far from the country, you’re still in the hearts of your loved ones, your families and friends),” President Duterte said. “More than anything, we want you home. We want you to live fruitful and meaningful lives close to your loved ones.”

Borje was sent by President Duterte to North Africa and the Middle East on an assistance to nationals’ mission for Filipino workers in the region.

As the President’s special envoy, Borje was also tasked to meet with key officials of host governments to convey the messages of the President, including on upholding the welfare of Filipinos in the region.

Borje’s assistance to nationals’ mission covers Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.