First photo : DSWD social workers assist Overseas Filipinos from Riyadh, composed mostly of women and children, who recently arrived home after availing the amnesty program of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Second photo : Nadzma Urao, who came home with her almost 2-month old baby boy, expressed her gratitude to the government for assisting them.

As the 90-day amnesty program of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) comes to a close by the end of this month,  the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and other concerned agencies, continue to be on standby to welcome repatriates from the Middle East country.

Only last Monday afternoon,  some 121 overseas Filipinos (OFs) came home and comprised the latest batch of repatriates to return to the Philippines.  The batch was composed of  44 mothers, four  fathers, and 73 children. They  were met and  assisted by staff and officials of the DSWD and OWWA.

DSWD provided meals to the mothers and children, and distributed P5,000 per family as financial assistance for the purchase of food and other basic commodities.Perlita Panganiban, OIC of the DSWD’s Social Welfare Attache Office, welcomed the OFs in behalf of Secretary Judy M. Taguiwalo.

She shared that DSWD and OWWA are ready to provide assistance to the OFs.  She explained  that the Department provides P5,000 financial assistance specifically to the mothers and children because they are the most vulnerable.

Nadzma Abdul Urao arrived home with her two-month old baby boy.  She shared that she went to Saudi Arabia to initially work as a domestic helper, but left her employer after seven months. She said that her female employer was “malupit” or cruel to her.

Consequently, Nadzma worked in different part-time jobs even without  working documents until she gave birth.

She said, “Masaya ako na ako ay nakauwi na,  kaya nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa amnesty program. Hindi ko ini-expect ito.  Mahirap talaga dun lalo na may baby ako (I am glad to be home.  I am so grateful for the amnesty program.  I did not expect this.  My situation was so difficult there in Riyadh, especially so that I have a baby).”

The OWWA is on a 24-hour round-the-clock standby throughout the implementation of the “Nation Without Violations” or the 90-day KSA amnesty program.

As explained by Atty. Cesar L. Chavez, OWWA also provides services that include temporary shelter at the OWWA Halfway Home to those whose hometowns are far; provision of transportation fare for the workers’ onward travel to their respective provinces;  livelihood assistance; and, overseas and in-country job referrals.

More overseas Filipinos are expected to arrive in the coming  days as the end of the amnesty program approaches. ###