Binay gets special flights for 790 OFWs from KSA

Vice President and Presidential Adviser on Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) Affairs Jejomar Binay has secured special flights to repatriate some 790 OFWs from Saudi Arabia. The Office of the Vice President (OVP) said on Tuesday some 790 plane seats have been reserved for OFWs currently sheltered at the Hajj Seaport Terminal in Jeddah. The Hajj Terminal served as temporary shelter to more than 1,000 overstaying Filipinos, for which the Philippine government was paying a daily rent of SR 15 per person. The OVP cited figures from the OWWA that 442 migrant workers are now home from Jeddah, including stroke survivor Efren Delesmo who arrived on May 25. “We were able to get 13 special flights for our OFWs in Jeddah with the help of Etihad Airways ... I am glad that the private sector is helping us bring our kababayans home. I hope we would see more of this partnership in our future repatriation efforts," Binay said. "The repatriates are expected to arrive in Manila by batches from June 1 to June 8 via Etihad Airways," a news release on the OVP website quoted Binay as saying. “Ngayong makakauwi na sila, inaasahan kong magagamit natin ang pondong ipinambabayad sa renta sa iba pang mga programa para sa ating mga OFW," Binay said. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will shoulder the plane fares of the returning OFWs, adding the repatriations coincide with the celebration of Migrants Day on June 7. When Binay visited Saudi Arabia in March, he obtained the consent of Saudi authorities to facilitate the repatriation of 4,500 overstaying OFWs at the resource centers in Riyadh and Jeddah, the Hajj Terminal and private homes in the kingdom. He also requested President Benigno Aquino III to release P23.6 million to purchase the plane tickets of the OFWs sheltered at the Hajj Terminal. Malacañang gave at least P205 million to the Department of Foreign Affairs to replenish its Assistance to Nationals unit. - VVP, GMA News