Press Release No. EBB-122-2019
DFA Undersecretary Arriola and Presidential Special Envoy Borje Share
Gifts of Love to Distressed OFWs in Jeddah
(Jeddah, 23 December 2019) – Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola and Chief of Presidential Protocol, Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of President Rodrigo Duterte to Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Robert Eric Borje visited Jeddah on 20 to 22 December 2019 to share gifts of love from the DFA and the Office of the President to distressed OFWs in Jeddah
On Saturday, 22 December, Undersecretary Arriola distributed gifts in cash and in kind to some 230 male and female distressed OFWs who are currently housed temporarily at the Consulate’s Bahay Kalinga and Male Shelter.
Undersecretary Arriola, Undersecretary Borje and Consul General Badajos
distributing gifts to distressed OFWs
Undersecretary Arriola assured the wards that the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah is doing its utmost best to address their concerns and are working for their immediate repatriation to the Philippines.
Undersecretary Borje, on the other hand, conveyed President Duterte’s message of love and hope for the wards, especially during the holiday season. In a video message, the President also gave assurance that their sacrifices are not forgotten by the government and that their welfare and interest is his main priority. In a video, the President also gave assurance that the OFWs’ sacrifices are not forgotten and that their welfare and interest are his main priority. Undersecretary Borje announced that President Duterte has authorized the release of an additional cash gift of US$100 for them.
Undersecretary Borje delivering President Duterte’s message for the wards
Earlier on Friday, 20 December, Undersecretary Arriola and Undersecretary Borje met with members of the Filipino community for a dialogue on pressing issues and concerns affecting the OFWs and their families in the Philippines, including the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos.
Undersecretary Arriola with some of the Filipino community members who attended the meeting
During the visit, Undersecretary Arriola and Undersecretary Borje they met with Director General Ibrahim Jalal of the Saudi Social Welfare Administration (SSWA), Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region in Jeddah on Saturday, 21 December, to discuss possible areas of cooperation between the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah and SSWA that will benefit Filipinos in distress, particularly, Filipino Household Service Workers (HSWs).
Undersecretary Arriola, Undersecretary Borje Consul General Badajos and SSWA officials
They also met with representatives from Azzer Law Firm, the Philippine Consulate General’s legal retainer for Jeddah and the Western Region, for a briefing on the current status of the cases being handled by the law office.
Meeting with Azzer Law Firm
Earlier this weekend, OWWA Deputy Executive Director Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson visited Jeddah and also met with the Filipino community and distributed a cash gift of US$100 each to the wards from the President.
OWWA Deputy ExDir Uson with Undersecretary Arriola, Consul General Badajos
and some Filipino community members
(END)
