JEDDAH, 8 May 2006 — Filipinos in this part of the Kingdom have warmly welcomed the arrival of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Some said they want to see one of the world’s most powerful women in person when she visits Jeddah tomorrow; others said they want to raise pressing concerns of the community.
“Gusto ko lang talaga siyang makita ng personal. Kung kailangan kong magpaalam sa trabaho ay gagawin ko makita ko lang ng personal si Presidente Arroyo. Hinahangaan ko talaga siya(I just want to see her personally. If needed, I will seek permission from my employer so that I can see President Arroyo in person. I admire her very much),” said Merlynda Paraiso, a domestic helper from Zamboanga.
Guzz Pacamara, president of women’s group Kapit-Bisig, said: “Now that she is here, we may be able to make a representation to convey some pressing issues concerning our fellow OFWs.”
Kapit-Bisig had been involved in providing livelihood training to OFWs.
Jordan Tribo, a supervisor for the past 14 years at a marketing company, said: “At last we will be able to have a glimpse of our great president. It is about time that she herself finds out the huge problems faced by many of our kababayan here. Bigyan lang ako ng pagkakataon makausap siya ay marami akong tatanungin sa kanya (Given a chance to talk with her, I have many things to ask her),” Tribo added.
Erwin Reyes of UniFil group said: “Timely itong balitang pagdating ni Arroyo, lalo na’t nahaharap sa maraming problema ang iba nating mga kababayan dito (President Arroyo’s visit is timely because many of our compatriots are facing gargantuan problems).”
Some OFWs, who preferred not to be named, said they are hoping that the president would seek amnesty for the hundreds of Filipinos staying illegally in the Kingdom.
Many of these “illegals” are said to be domestic helpers or drivers who ran away from their employers for various reasons.
Some are Umrah pilgrims, mostly from Mindanao, who have opted to stay in the Kingdom in hopes of finding employment even if they have no working visas.
Lito Lazo, a financial manager and former chairman of the International Philippine School in Jeddah (IPSJ), took issue with the comment by an opposition politician in Manila that Arroyo’s was hoping against hope in getting a better oil deal for the country.
“Let’s give her a chance. Baka naman bigyan siya ng preferential o special consideration na makakuha ng murang langis dahil mahirap tayong bansa (probably she would be given special consideration because we are a poor country).”
At least two women interviewed by Arab News said they were no admirers of President Arroyo and they prefered not to make any “negative” comments. “Baka mapag-initan pa tayo,” one of them said.