Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, Presidential Special Envoy Share Gifts of Love to Distressed OFWs in Jeddah

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola (center), Chief of Presidential Protocol, Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of President Rodrigo Duterte to Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Robert Eric Borje (left) and Consul General to Jeddah Edgar Barrairo Badajos (right) distributing gifts to distressed OFWs. (Jeddah PCG photo)

JEDDAH 02 January 2020 — Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola and Chief of Presidential Protocol, Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of President Rodrigo Duterte to Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Robert Eric Borje visited Jeddah on 20-22 December 2019 to share gifts of love from the DFA and the Office of the President to distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Jeddah.

On 22 December 2019, Undersecretary Arriola distributed gifts in cash and in kind to some 230 male and female distressed OFWs who are currently housed temporarily at the Consulate’s Bahay Kalinga and Male Shelter. 

Undersecretary Arriola assured the wards that the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah is doing its utmost best to address their concerns and are working for their immediate repatriation to the Philippines.

Undersecretary Borje, on the other hand, conveyed President Duterte’s message of love and hope for the wards, especially during the holiday season. In a video message, the President also gave assurance that their sacrifices are not forgotten by the government and that their welfare and interest is his main priority. Undersecretary Borje announced that President Duterte has authorized the release of an additional cash gift of USD 100 for them.

Earlier on 20 December 2019, Undersecretary Arriola and Undersecretary Borje met with members of the Filipino community for a dialogue on pressing issues and concerns affecting the OFWs and their families in the Philippines, including the creation of the Department of Overseas Filipinos.

During the visit, Undersecretary Arriola and Undersecretary Borje they met with the Saudi Social Welfare Administration (SSWA) Makkah Al-Mukarramah Region in Jeddah Director General Ibrahim Jalal on 21 December 2019 to discuss possible areas of cooperation between the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah and SSWA that will benefit Filipinos in distress, particularly, Filipino Household Service Workers.

They also met with representatives from Azzer Law Firm, the Philippine Consulate General’s legal retainer for Jeddah and the Western Region, for a briefing on the current status of the cases being handled by the law office.

Earlier this weekend, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Executive Director Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson visited Jeddah and also met with the Filipino community and distributed a cash gift of USD 100 each to the wards from the President. END

Chief of Presidential Protocol, Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of President Rodrigo Duterte to Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Robert Eric Borje delivering President Duterte’s message for the wards. (Jeddah PCG photo)

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola with some of the Filipino community members who attended the meeting. (Jeddah PCG photo)

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola (third from left), Chief of Presidential Protocol, Presidential Adviser on Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of President Rodrigo Duterte to Tunisia, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Robert Eric Borje (second from left), Consul General to Jeddah Edgar Barrairo Badajos (leftmost) and Saudi Social Welfare Administration officials. (Jeddah PCG photo)

Meeting with Azzer Law Firm. (Jeddah PCG photo)

 Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Deputy Executive Director Esther Margaux “Mocha” Uson (second row, seventh form left) with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Arriola (second row, sixth from left), Consul General to Jeddah Edgar Barrairo Badajos (behind Undersecretary Arriola) and some Filipino community members. (Jeddah PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.jeddahpcg.dfa.gov.ph  or https://www.facebook.com/PHLinJeddah/.