JEDDAH, 7 September 2007 - The medical and dental mission scheduled at the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh today has been postponed indefinitely, the embassy said yesterday.
In a press statement yesterday, the embassy said the last-minute announcement was made in view of a notice from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying it cannot allow activity.
No reason was mentioned in the statement for the rejection of the embassy’s request for permission.
“... the embassy will appeal to the MFA-KSA for the rescheduling of this meaningful activity,” said the statement.
Filipino organizations in the Kingdom regularly conduct medical and dental missions free of charge for the benefit of community members who are not covered by medical insurance.
In the aborted mission, the organizing committee members are the ANCOP Gawad Kalinga, Alpha Phi Omega Riyadh Alumni Association (Aporaa), the Filipino Expatriates’ Health, Education and Livelihood Program (Fehelp), Guardians Philippines Anti-Crime Organization, Inc. (GPI), Medical Alliance Services and Advocacy. Comrades (Masa.Com) and Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc. (PGBI).