RIYADH, 8 May 2006 — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah accorded a red carpet welcome yesterday afternoon to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who is visiting Saudi Arabia for the first time as head of state.
After the welcome ceremony, Arroyo and her delegation proceeded to the Al-Yamamah Palace where King Abdullah hosted a state dinner, according to Special Envoy Antonio P. Villamor.
“President Arroyo’s visit focuses on three Os — Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), and oil,” said lawyer Gilberto B. Asuque, spokesman of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Talking to Arab News, Asuque said the Philippines looks at Saudi Arabia as a major player in Middle East affairs. Because of that, he said, bilateral talks will focus on the welfare of the 1.2 million OFWs who have contributed to the development of the Kingdom and its economy.
He said President Arroyo “wishes to emphasize that the OFWs have contributed in the progress of the Saudi economy. President Arroyo will also take up with King Abdullah the status of Filipino workers who are in jails and facing various charges. She will be seeking a fair investigation of their cases.”
Asuque added that Arroyo will also discuss with Abdullah the Philippine bid for observer status in the 57-member OIC.
“She will seek the Kingdom’s support for observer status for the country in the OIC so that bringing peace to the southern Philippines can be expedited,” he said. The OIC has been tasked with monitoring the peace process in southern Philippines and has been calling on the government to redress the grievances of Filipino Muslims. At the moment, only the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has observer status and as a result, only its side of the story is heard by OIC members.
The Philippine president will also meet officials of Saudi Aramco to discuss “what we can do together with other energy-producing nations to keep the supply of oil high and the price of oil down as much as possible.”
In a press statement before leaving Manila, Arroyo said, “As a developing nation, the Philippines is hit hard by the high price of oil, and I look to our Saudi friends to help us pioneer new and innovative ways to become energy-independent.”
Charge d’Affaires Germinia Aguilar Usudan said that Arroyo is scheduled to meet officials of the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry headed by Secretary-General Dr. Fahd S. Al-Sultan. Filipino businessmen will also meet their Saudi counterparts.
The total trade volume between the two countries was $2.2 billion in 2005 in favor of Saudi Arabia, according to Third Secretary and Vice Consul Romulo Victor Israel of the Philippine Embassy’s economy section. Top Philippine exports included processed foods, garments, furniture and fresh food while its imports consisted mainly of petroleum and industrial products.
Arroyo is also scheduled to meet the Filipino community in Riyadh at the Philippine Embassy tonight. Pusong Mamon action officer Rashid Fabricante said he would present issues intended to help in serving OFWs. “Pusong Mamon will bring to the attention of President Arroyo the need to increase the number of rescue vehicles at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO), the need to increase the number of interpreters and translators with knowledge of Shariah law, the need to increase the budget of the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah and the need to streamline the process of repatriating stranded female OFWs,” he said.
