DIAZ
BACOLOD CITY – Three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Negros Occidental working in the Middle East have sought assistance from the provincial government for repatriation.
Provincial Administrator Rafyrando Diaz II said in a media interview on Wednesday, March 4, that the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) has coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to facilitate their repatriation. “They really want to go home,” he said.
The three OFWs requesting assistance are from Himamaylan City and Pulupandan town. One is based in Kuwait while the other two are in Saudi Arabia.
Seven OFWs have reached out to the provincial government and provided their locations and contact details as a precautionary measure.
The flight of one OFW bound for Riyadh, Saudi Arabia was diverted back to Manila. She has since returned to Negros Occidental with the help of the municipal government of Isabela.
Diaz said the provincial government will extend financial assistance to her.
He added that the province is prepared to provide further support, including scholarship assistance for the children of OFWs who may be displaced.
“We’re keeping our help desk open to whatever communication we will receive and facilitate assisting them,” Diaz said.
There are 16,623 Negrense residents are employed in the Middle East.