JEDDAH, 29 July 2003 — The Filipino Workers Resource Center (FWRC) warned yesterday against some community leaders who are soliciting funds from fellow OFWs reportedly for some distressed OFWs.
In a letter to Arab News, the FWRC which is an attached office of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office, said they were constrained to give the warning after two articles came out in Arab News emphasizing that the 13 fishermen who were stranded in Jeddah due to some problems with their employer depended on food provided by some community leaders, particularly Joe Paduga.
On the contrary, the letter continued, it was the FWRC who provided food and shelter to the fishermen as it was their job to do so. Rice and other commodities were being supplied to them even before they moved inside the consulate grounds.
It also added that the FWRC kept detailed records on who provided food not only for the fishermen but also for the other distressed OFWs who sought their help but the name Joe Paduga is not on the list.