ALKHOBAR, 7 May — Filipino community groups in the Eastern Region have formed their own the Fund Management Committee to assist “distressed” and “stranded” Filipino workers in this part of the Kingdom. The committee is composed of representatives of the various Accredited Community Partners (ACPs), so called because they are accredited by the Philippine Embassy’s POLO and OWWA offices.
The ACPs had re-launched the fund-raising campaign “Barya Mo, Buhay Ko” (Distressed Workers Fund) in the Eastern Region to make their fund-raising campaign more official and recognized.
The campaign was originally launched in Riyadh by the community groups based there through the initiative of Assistant Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre.
The FMC-Alkhobar is expected to play a front-line role in providing the immediate needs of distressed OFWs in the Eastern Region as there is no embassy or consulate where they could ask immediate assistance.
Committee officials said the Fund will provide plane tickets to workers based on serious medical reasons in the event that the OWWA or the concerned employer cannot provide the ticket immediately.
The will also help in defraying incidental expenses in processing the exit visa such as iqama (national ID) renewal or police clearance, or other requirements necessary for the repatriation.
The interim officers for the FMC Eastern Region were initially appointed by Labor Attaché Jainal Rasul and Supervising Welfare Officer Sotero Tornea to hold office for only three months. Then, the ACP representatives will elect among themselves the next officers for a term of three months, to give all the ACPs a chance to lead and manage the Fund.
The appointed officers are: chairman, Tony Coloma of Concerned Overseas Filipino Workers Association (COFWA); vice chairman, Wally Elento of the Filipino Retirees Overseas Movement (Freom); secretary, Abe Regalado of the United Bicolanos; treasurer, Boni Vitriolo of Sangkapbuhay; auditor, Sonny Briones of PICPA; media relations and ombudsmen, Joe Avanceña of OFW Congress, and Dinan Arana (Arab News), United Suriganon Association and this writer; and consultant for website development, Gie Sinaon of the Filipino Computer Society.
Two sub-committees have also been created. The case evalutation committee is headed by Ransam Pirote of the Saudi Arabia Hiligaynon, Inc. The ACPs appointed under this committee are Ro Akeanon, Filipino Community in Al-Hassa, Mother, Overseas Negrenses, IIEE, UFI, and WM Tauhid.
The solicitation committee is headed by Andy Reyes of Afcscom. Under this group are Kapit-Lakas, Gabay Kapwa, PICE, Samahang Novo Ecijano, United Muslims Asssociation, Pag-Asa, and PSME.