Palace: Funds enough for repatriation of Pinoys in Saudi

Malacañang on Monday said there are enough funds for the repatriation of overstaying Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia. At a press briefing, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said the funds would come from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for the documented workers and Assistance to Nationals fund for the undocumented workers. "Yun pong dalawang pondo na ‘yan are more than sufficient to fund the repatriation of the workers," Lacierda said. He, however, did not provide the amount available from the said fund sources. Vice President Jejomar Binay, presidential adviser on overseas Filipino workers’ affairs, has requested for a P23-million funding in a letter sent to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III. There are currently 1,084 Filipinos that need to be repatriated at the Hajj Terminal, Binay said, adding that the government is paying 15 Riyals (P172) daily for every OFW housed at the Hajj Terminal. Lacierda said the problem with the securing of tickets and the processing of exit documents slow down the repatriation process. "Medyo maraming nagsisiuwian and we have to make sure nakakabili tayo ng tickets. Number two, meron ding kabagalan sa proseso ng exit documents--hindi po tayo ang may problema ‘non, it’s…we are coordinating with the Saudi government on that," he said. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News