JEDDAH, 24 July 2005 — The Philippine Embassy in Riyadh has commended a Saudi employer for providing full support to a Filipino worker who had been incapacitated by illness.
In a press statement, Ambassador Bahnarim A. Guinomla said employer Khalid Al Jabri not only shouldered the medical expenses of Ricardo Ruivivar but also paid for his flight to the Philippines.
The employer give Ruivivar what was due him and got a doctor and a nurse to accompany the patient in his flight home.
Ambassador Guinomla said Ruivivar, who is from the eastern Philippine town of Ligao, in Albay province, worked for Al Jabri Transport for nine years until he encountered health problems.
He was hospitalized in April at the Astoon Hospital in the Eastern Province and was found to have suffered cerebral hemorrhage, right-sided hemiplegia and hypertension.
Early this month, the hospital issued a Fit to Travel Certificate to Ruivivar and he flew back to the Philippines on July 18.
According to Guinomla, Al Jabri spent SR180,000 ($48,000) for Ruivivar’s hospital expenses alone.
In addition, Al Jabri requested Dr. Inaz Ahmad Sultan, the attending physician, and Filipino nurse Mary Ann Lapanlele, to accompany the patient on his flight to Manila and endorse him to Philippine medical authorities upon their arrival.
“Airport assistance was extended to Mr. Ruivivar in Manila providing a fully equipped ambulance, a doctor and a portable ventilator,” Guinomla said in the press statement.
Welfare Officer Danilo Flores reported that Al Jabri Transport’s finance officer, Khalid Al Sheemi, handed to the embassy SR10,000 ($2,667) representing SR6,000 ($1,600) end-of-service benefits and a SR4,000 ($1,067) gift for Ruivivar which Flores negotiated with the employer.
Guinomla said he had written Khalid to commend and thank him for his compassion in helping his employee.
