03 January 2005 – The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that the Embassy has taken measures to expedite the repatriation of distressed female workers being sheltered at the Bahay Kalinga in Riyadh so that they can return as soon as possible to their homes in the Philippines.

Ambassador Bahnarim Guinomla ordered Welfare Officer Armando Roa, who is overseeing programs and activities at the Bahay Kalinga, to exert every effort in order to decongest the rooms.

“We are exerting all our efforts to speed up the repatriation of the OFWs so that they can immediately reunite with their families and at the same time decongest the rooms in the center,” Ambassador Guinomla said, as he explained that the number of residents in the center has reached 182 OFWs, which necessitates the speedy repatriation.

According to the officials of the Bahay Kalinga, some 30 OFWs are ready to leave but would have to postpone their departure because  passenger traffic to Manila is heavy during the holiday season.  Another 20 OFWs are waiting for their papers and air tickets to be able to depart.

Welfare Officer Roa said “the Ambassador has reminded me that graduation time in Manila at the end of the first quarter and the exodus of haj pilgrims who will be returning home in their countries in mid-January will also be peak seasons for travellers, so we are really taking extra measures to repatriate these OFWs.”

Ambassador Guinomla also requested Saudi volunteers including former general Sultan Sharari to help in resolving the cases of the OFWs with labor disputes and in repatriating them immediately.   Mr. Sharari assured the Ambassador that he and his fellow volunteers will exert their utmost in the earliest departure of the distressed workers. The Ambassador also thanked the community leaders for the support and assistance they have been extending to the distressed workers. END