CITY OF MALOLOS — The Provincial Government of Bulacan headed by Governor Daniel R. Fernando, through the Provincial Public Employment Service Office (PPESO), has been instrumental in the repatriation of eight Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) escaping the tensions in the Middle East.
Upon their arrival by chartered plane from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to Villamor Air Base in Pasay City, Monday afternoon (March 23), the PGB transported the Bulakenyo OFWs, along with their families, to the Provincial Capitol building, where they were each given P10,000 cash assistance and two cavans of rice, food packs, and boxes of fruits.
Fernando said that he is happy that the modern heroes came home whole and safe.
“Welcome back po mga minamahal naming mga Bulakenyo. Ang isipin po natin ngayon kung paano tayo nagkatuwang-tuwang at magkatulung-tulong habang nandito po kayo,” the governor said.
He suggested that, while tensions are ongoing abroad, repatriated OFWs may join the PGB’s monthly job fairs to find work suited to their skills.
Meanwhile, PPESO Head Engr. Egbert R. Robles shared how some of the OFWs walked in the dark for 12 hours to seek help without really knowing if they could go home safely.
Among the repatriated OFWs are Gracia Cabiles Galungo, Rhedell Lopez Sumang, and Christine Jalimbawa from the City of San Jose del Monte; Maricel Cabrera Badra, Ana Katrina Caparas Osorio, and Ross Osorio from Paombong; Hannah Marjorie Martinez Cal from Norzagaray; and Manilyn Cortez Ponciano from Bocaue.
Meanwhile, Osorio thanked the Philippine government, including the Philippine Embassy in Kuwait, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for assisting their exit and safe travels to the country.
“Sa haba po ng biyahe na pinagdaanan namin by land na hindi po namin alam kung ano po ang mangyayari sa amin. Thank you din po, Gov, sa tulong pinansyal. Malaking bagay po ito sa pagbabalik namin dito sa Pilipinas, malaking tulong po ito para sa amin,” she said.
Financial assistance was also given by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. through OWWA and DMW. (UnliNews Online)
