Talking on the occasion, Valenciano said, “I commend the officers and members of SAMPIGA on their 6th anniversary celebrations. That SAMPIGA is doing well as a group is shown by the fact that no less than 600 Filipino workers are present on this occasion.”
Aside from handling the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Riyadh (POLO-Riyadh), Valenciano has also been in charge of POLO in the Central Region.
“It goes without saying that as president, Dionisio B. Tabuco Jr. is doing well. He could muster the necessary support for SAMPIGA's various projects by enlisting the help of medical and dental volunteers as well as sponsors for the food and free drugs and medicines for the OFWs who seek medical and dental consultation,” he said.
Tabuco told Arab News that his staff had worked hard and long before the event to secure the necessary permit from the Saudi authorities, so that the 6th anniversary celebration could be held.
He thanked all those “who had a hand in making the event successful and an affair to remember.”
He thanked Ahmed Abdullah Al-Rebdi, vice president for manufacturing and technical affairs of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Appliances Corporation (SPIMACO), for the free drugs and medicines. Al-Rebdi was represented by Abdulrahman Al-Obeid, general services manager. Tabuco also thanked Trans-Fast manager Yousof S. Cardenas, Ali Buot and his wife, Sundos Basket, and Khaled Perfumes for their donations.
“I also thank all the medical and dental volunteers who started as early as 8:30 a.m. in entertaining compatriots seeking consultation. They include Nanette S. Garcia, Stanley Agor and Raquel dela Cruz, who are all doctors,” Tabuco said. He also thanked the hospitals, health centers and clinics for allowing their staff to render free medical and dental services.
Plaques of appreciation were also awarded to the “sponsors who have been supporting SAMPIGA all these years.”
The day's celebration started with the medical mission, with an estimated 300 OFWs seeking consultation with the volunteers. It lasted until noon, after which free lunch was served. In the afternoon, parlor games were held among the medical volunteers. The Maternity and Children's Hospital volunteers performed a dance. A singing contest was also held, in which Marlon Cainglet of Herfy Foods was declared champion. He received a Samsung DVD/CD player. Special prizes were also raffled off. Greg Perlas won a Toshiba 24” LCD as grand prize.
OFWs who attended expressed happiness on the occasion. Greg Perlas said, “All are saying that they are happy for having attended the event, which was, to say the least, successful. It's also heartening to note that many, including the medical volunteers, brought food.”
Mark Ramos, 57, of Dasmarinas, who works as an auto technician in Unaizah, added, “I hope that medical and dental missions would be held more often.”
Allan Garcia, 40 years and an engineer at SPIMACO, added, “SAMPIGA symbolizes volunteerism and public service.”
