05 June 2015 – The team from the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah met with representatives of the Filipino community in Najran on May 19 at the King Khalid Hospital. Philippine Consul General Leo Tito L. Ausan, Jr. led the team, which included Vice Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague and Translator Badroddin Abdullah.
Around 100 male and female Filipino workers from different hospitals and establishments attended the meeting. Along with Filipino community coordinators who were also present, they were provided an update on the present situation in Najran and the putting into place of a system which will enable the community to respond accordingly, in partnership with the Consulate, should the security situation in Najran deteriorate.
"The Consulate cannot be in Najran all the time. Coordination and cooperation between the Consulate and the Filipino community is vital and crucial in order to ensure success in responding to any contingencies that may arise," Consul General Ausan said.
Consul General Ausan further revealed that a "localized contingency plan" is being finalized to strengthen the partnership between the Filipino community and Consulate in responding to any contingencies, such as the rocket attacks by Houthi rebels from Yemen. This will be inclusively implemented hand-in-hand with the Najran Filipino community.
Prior to the meeting with the Filipino community, the Team also met with Armed Forces General Hospital Director General Saad Saleh Al Gahmdi and Medical Director Fawaz Al Harby. Consul General Ausan conveyed his appreciation to them for the steps taken by their hospital administration in ensuring the safety and security of their Filipino workers.
The hospital has earlier relocated Filipino workers to a temporary accommodation safe from the rocket attacks of Houthi rebels. Aside from this, the hospital has also provided them with a number of incentives, such as free meals, pay without work and overtime pay.
"We value our Filipino workers as they are highly regarded by the hospital administration for their work ethic. That is why we are doing everything possible to make them comfortable, safe and secure," remarked Al Ghamdi. He further gave assurance that should the security situation in Najran deteriorate, the safety and security of their Filipino workers shall be accorded primordial attention. END
