Ambassador-designate Ezzedin Tago, who is also the consul general in Jeddah, said around 100 men have been booked for a flight to Manila on Monday and 50 men and women are to follow on May 19.

Those cleared to leave were among those who were transferred last week to the deportation center at the King Abdulaziz International Airport from the Haj Terminal at the Jeddah Islamic Seaport.

Under a special arrangement between the Philippine Consulate and the Saudi government, Filipino overstayers seeking repatriation may seek admission at the Haj Terminal while waiting for their exit papers to be processed. 

Based on an earlier statement of the consulate, of 1,160 Filipino overstayers, runaway workers and their children who were admitted to the Haj Terminal at the port since late January, 470 have been repatriated.

About 500 more are still at the Haj Terminal — including those who had earlier set up a camp outside the consulate — but Tago said the next group of women and children are due for transfer to the deportation center.

He explained that the Passport Department accepts only a limited number of Filipinos each time because of the large number of deportees of different nationalities at the deportation center.

Hundreds of more Filipinos have also listed up with the consulate to avail themselves of the amnesty for overstayers and runaway workers, which the Kingdom has extended until Sept. 14.

But those who still have a place to stay are advised not to seek admission to the Haj Terminal to avoid overcrowding. Use of the facilities at the terminal also costs SR15 per person per day, with the Philippine Consulate shouldering the amount.

Tago on Sunday said that the consulate has been billed SR421,463 for shelter rentals at the Haj Terminal as of May 30. 

He reminded other Filipinos who wish to go home to avoid setting up a camp outside the consulate or elsewhere and to proceed to the Haj Terminal so as not to jeopardize the repatriation operation.

He said that in his visit to the office of the director general of the MFA's Makkah Al-Mukarramah branch on Saturday, he was reminded by Ambassador Mohammad Ahmad Al-Taib that any public demonstrations or gatherings of such nature are strictly prohibited under Saudi laws. 

Al-Taib promised that the Ministry would communicate with the Jawazat to facilitate the speedy admission and processing of those who are at the Haj terminal, he said. 

Al-Taib also reportedly asked the consulate to advise anyone experiencing difficulties or has complaints against their employers to file their complaints with the concerned Saudi authorities, whether the Saudi Labor Office or the Police (Civil Rights Office), stressing that the Saudi government ensures that the rights of all expatriate workers are protected.