JEDDAH, 11 June 2007 — Local authorities have agreed to accommodate the swelling number of Filipino overstayers seeking to return home, Consul General Pendosina N. Lomondot said yesterday.

With that, Lomondot also opened the consulate for other overstayers who wish to join those still in the site being used by the Saudi Passport and Immigration Department to “process” would-be repatriates.

Welfare Officer Jake Samain explained that those being called are Filipinos who have overstayed their visas while in the Kingdom for Umrah or Haj or for those who contracts have been finished.

“Let’s make it clear that this is not for workers who have yet to finish their contracts,” he said by phone.

At 3:30 p.m. yesterday, consulate officials did a headcount at the Port Area, where the “processing” was being conducted, and recorded 597 Filipinos.

Many more, however, were being transported by bus from the consulate to the processing site and at 8 p.m. officials said the number may have swollen to 850. Arab News learned that the youngest was a one-month-old baby of an overstayer.

“The officials of the host government have granted our request to allow our distressed compatriots to leave and I am very grateful for that,” said the consul general, who earlier requested for exit papers only for about 250 people who had sought help from the consulate on May 27.

Consulate staff worked overtime last night to admit those who wanted to join the bandwagon.

Some 52 women were moved to the deportation center near the airport during the day. One of them said by phone that they were told by Saudi officials to just get ready because their flight to Manila would be announced anytime.

After nightfall, some 150 more were made herded into three buses at the processing site and brought to the deportation center. Lomondot said those brought to the deportation center have been given their travel documents. He said Saudi immigration personnel were also working overtime at the processing site.

Heroes and Heels

Meanwhile, Lomondot warned those at the processing site and others who wish to leave to watch out for fixers.

“Napag-alaman natin na marami na namang fixers na naglilipana kahit sa deportation area kaya huwag kayong makikipag-usap sa kahit kaninong nangangako ng mabilisang pag-uwi (We have information that fixers are swarming in the deportation area and so beware. Don’t talk with anyone promising an easy exit for a fee),” the consul general said.

While some tried to take advantage of the distressed, there were also plenty of kind-hearted compatriots lending a helping hand and donated food.

Among these were the OFW Cooperative Council led by Wenifred Castolome, the Boholano Community Group of Red Bual, the OFW Family Coop under Dawood Engay, the Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah of Danny Londonio, and staff of the Philippine Sunrise International School (PSIS).

“We have to continue helping our distressed kababayans at least by giving them food. We have a crisis in our midst,” said Castolome, whose group was among those who have been donated food to those holed up at the consulate since May 27.

Other donors are encouraged to course their donations to the consulate’s Assistance to Nationals Section (ANS) headed by Vicky Salian.