On a question regarding Filipinos on death row, Binay said: “We’re doing something, but as of now it’s something outside of what the public must know.”
John Leonard Monterona, Migrante Middle East regional coordinator, asked why there was no appointed ambassador yet in the Kingdom, saying: “Several groups are calling for the redeployment of (former) Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor.”
He quoted Frank Naval, chairperson of the 8,000-strong United OFW, as saying: “Given the complexity of the host country and its strict culture and laws, Ambassador Villamor had proven during his four-year stint that he could well serve OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) and promote Philippine interests in Saudi Arabia while maintaining friendly diplomatic ties with the host government.”
He also quoted Michael Pacheco of the Alpha Phi Omega Riyadh Alumni Association as saying: “He (Villamor) was tireless in saving the lives of OFWs on death row.”
Binay said that he  believed that an appointment had already been made but too early to disclose who the appointee was.
On the question of recruitment of new housemaids raised by George Palencia, a community leader in Alkhobar, he said that a technical committee in Manila will hold a meeting and review it on April 15. “We’ll see what happens during the meeting. We’ll accordingly inform and guide you,” he said. Earlier, the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh (POLO-Riyadh) had announced that household workers, including housemaids, who had been working in the Kingdom could go on vacation and come back to the Kingdom.
He also announced that Filipinos would not be issued Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs) unless they are active members of Pag-Ibig Fund.
Binay is the chairman of Housing Urban Development Coordinating Council, to which Pag-Ibig Fund is attached.
Filipino workers in the Kingdom secure OECs from POLO when going on vacation. They will need this when they come back to the Kingdom. As they secure the OEC, which costs SR9, they also have to pay SR94 as an obligatory OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) membership fee.
Binay also announced that 15 stranded OFWs at the Bahay Kalinga shelter in Riyadh will be provided tickets so that they can go home, adding that 54 more are awaiting repatriation and that they will go home on a case-by-case basis.
Binay, also the presidential adviser on OFWs’ welfare, said that he plans to set up a foundation that will help stranded OFWs who could not go home.
He also said that plans are afoot for the conversion of the Philippine Postal Bank into an OFW Bank.
Migrante Middle East expressed its thanks because “this time, Vice President Binay fulfilled his promise to visit the Kingdom.”
OFWs in Qassim, Eastern Province and Riyadh attended the meeting.
Binay was accompanied by his son, Makati Mayor Jun Jun Binay, former Sen. Francisco Tatad, former Ambassador Apolinario “Jun” Lozada and Sulu Vice Gov. Ben Loong, former Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Vice President Alex Aguilar of Pag-IBIG Fund, among others.
Binay is scheduled to arrive in Jeddah on Sunday.