The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the repatriation of overstaying overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is in "full swing" but is "endangered" because of the Filipinos camping out at a lot near the Philippine Consulate. In a statement, the DFA said the special arrangement for the repatriation of OFWs may be endangered because of the Filipinos camping out near the consulate. About 200 Filipinos had camped in the vacant lot beside the Consulate on April 25 but the number eventually decreased to about 50 as of May 5. "The presence of this group is delaying the transfer of the Filipinos at the Hajj Terminal to the Deportation Center, and may lead to the rebooking or cancellation of their flight and the expiry of their travel documents," the DFA said. The Consulate has urged the Filipinos camped at the vacant lot to return to the Hajj Terminal to avoid hampering the terminal operations. Special arrangement The DFA said the Hajj Terminal operations is a special arrangement made by the Philippine government with Saudi authorities for the repatriation of overstaying Filipinos in Saudi Arabia. "(It) started in September 2009 after representations by the Consulate with the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the approval of the Office of the Emir of Makkah to address the cases of Filipinos staying under the Sitteen Khandara overpass in hope of an expedited deportation proceeding," the DFA said. Under the arrangement, the Filipinos to be repatriated are brought to and are sheltered at the Hajj Terminal while waiting for their tickets and the processing of their exit papers. The use of the facilities at the Hajj Terminal are paid by the Consulate at SR15 (P171) a day per person. The arrangement with the Saudi authorities for the Hajj Terminal is as follows:
Filipinos who overstayed in Saudi and who would like to go home are asked to register at the Consulate. Individuals who are out of status are violating local laws and face deportation proceedings before they can return home. Filipinos at the Terminal who have a confirmed ticket and a valid travel document provided by the Consulate are taken by the Saudi Jawazat (immigration authorities) to the Deportation Center where they will undergo investigation, have their exit visas processed and stamped and wait for their flight to the Philippines. The Consulate makes representations with the Jawazat for their admission, but it is the Jawazat authorities that decide how many and when to fetch them. Filipinos seeking deportation and can provide their own tickets are assisted by the Consulate and Saudi immigration authorities, but there are no guarantee that they will be the given priority in the deportation proceeding. Arrangement may be stopped However, the DFA said the special arrangement may be stopped because of Filipinos who camped out in a lot adjacent to the Consulate. “Unfortunately, this special arrangement may be stopped as the Saudi authorities stated that they would only resume admission of overstayers once Filipinos who have camped out in a lot adjacent to the Consulate return to the Hajj Terminal," the Consulate said in a news release. Last February, Saudi immigration authorities stated they no longer make any pick-up at any point other than the Hajj Terminal. As of May 8, the DFA said the Consulate had helped repatriate 972 of the 1,160 Filipinos camped out at the Consulate-operated Hajj Terminal facility since January 24. The DFA said the last persons to be fetched by the authorities from the facility included 100 females and 47 minors on May 6, and 67 males on May 8. "The Consulate has made flight bookings for the next 200 Filipino overstayers to be repatriated in the coming weeks. The remaining 300 will follow anytime soon," the DFA said in a news release on the government portal. 100 Filipino deportees According to the DFA, on the average, Saudi immigration authorities take in to their Deportation Center and process only 100 Filipino deportees at a time because there are also other nationalities who are seeking deportation. There are also constraints in securing airline flights. Most airlines accept only 50 deportees per flight during the peak season but this number is increased during the non-peak season. Most airlines also allow only a maximum of five infants per flight, whether peak or non-peak season. Repatriation The DFA said the last persons to be fetched by the authorities from the facility included: 100 females and 47 minors on May 6, and 67 males on May 8. "The Consulate has made flight bookings for the next 200 Filipino overstayers to be repatriated in the coming weeks. The remaining 300 will follow anytime soon," the DFA said in a news release on the government portal . As of May 8, the DFA said the Consulate had helped repatriate 972 of 1,160 Filipinos camped out at the Consulate-operated Hajj Terminal facility since Jan. 24. Some 815 Filipinos were repatriated in 2009, and 1,429 in 2010. These do not include other Filipinos who were assisted by the Consulate through the regular Saudi deportation and repatriation procedures. - VVP, GMA News 
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