JEDDAH, 3 June 2007 — If a solution to the problem of repatriation the distressed Filipino workers who have sought shelter at the Philippine Consulate in Jeddah is slow in coming, at least the workers won’t starve anymore. Food is now pouring in from community organizations and individuals touched by the plight of the workers, mostly victims of labor disputes and “fixers.”
More than 130 workers, some coming from as far as the Eastern Province, flocked to the consulate last week after failing in their bid to get themselves deported by Saudi authorities.
Welfare Officer Abdurajik Samain had earlier said many of the workers ran away from abusive employers and came to Jeddah in hopes of getting an easy exit, only to be victimized by unscrupulous compatriots offering a supposed “backdoor exit” for a fee.
Among those who responded to calls for help were the Boholano Group headed by Red Bual, which brought meals as well as noodles, rice, and chicken.
Also rushing to the workers’ rescue were leaders and members of the Bag-ong Bicol Saro nin Jeddah headed by Danny Londonio, which donated food.
What’s more, the Boholano and Bicolano groups have agreed to hire the workers to build booths that they plan to erect at the consulate for the Independence Day celebration.
“This is our own small way of helping our kababayans in distress,” said Fred Castolome, a leader of the Boholano group and also of the OFW Cooperative Council, one of the most active umbrella organizations in the Kingdom.
Others groups who are participating in the Independence Day festivities are also expected to do the same.
The distressed workers may also avail themselves of free medical and dental services as one of the participating groups is organizing a medical and dental mission at the consulate.
Consulate staff also collected donations among themselves. So did teachers from Al Hekma International School. One of them, Marilyn Bacud, said they would be bringing food again in the next few days.
Marissa Santiago, marketing director of Royal Dreams International Services, a placement agency, also brought in goods upon reading of the workers’ plight in Arab News.
Santiago said she comes regularly to Saudi Arabia to personally see and assist OFWs recruited by their agency.
Some individuals who have made donations and a group which brought food last Thursday sought to remain anonymous. Officials said every donor would be acknowledged just the same.
Wilson Quianio, one of the coordinators of the stranded workers, said they were worried about how they could survive if no solution to their problem is forthcoming.
“We have been staying inside the consulate for almost a week now and we still have no news from our officials. We terribly miss our families. We have nothing in our pockets now. How are we going to survive?” he said.
Touching
Others shared his apprehension but acknowledged that support from community members have strengthened their sagging morale.
Some of the workers cried when donations were handed over to them.
“Malungkot ang nangyari sa amin pero masaya ako dahil nakita ko ang pagmamalasakit ng ating mga kababayan,” Irene, one of the female stranded workers, said in between sobs.
Consul General Pendosina N. Lomondot said the consulate has already submitted the list of stranded workers to Manila for their plane tickets going home.
At the same time, the consulate has requested concerned Saudi authorities to provide exit visas for the distressed workers so that they can be repatriated, he said.
One of the officials assigned to secure exit visas said the plane tickets for the workers is actually not a problem anymore. “We hope that the Saudi government will help us. Everything is ready except for exit visas,” said the official, who asked not to be named.
Shameless Vultures
Meanwhile, the stranded workers warned other Filipinos in the Kingdom not to entertain anymore offer of a so-called “backdoor exit.”
“Kunin na ninyong aral ang nangyari sa amin. Hindi totoong may backdoor exit sa Jeddah (Beware! Don’t be beguiled because there’s no such thing as a backdoor exit in Jeddah),” said a driver, who asked not to be identified. He said he and his wife were hoodwinked (nasulsulan) by some unnamed people to pay SR1,500 for their ride on top of a trailer truck from Dammam to Jeddah. After paying more money to members of a syndicate in Jeddah, they were brought to Kandara Bridge where they were supposed to be picked up by officials of the Passport Department for immediate deportation.
“In our desire to go home at once, we gave all our money to them (syndicate members). When we already spent two weeks under the bridge without getting deported, we decided to go to the consulate,” he said.
