Saudi bridge dwellers get assistance from Villar's Sagip OFW

Eighteen overseas Filipino workers with four children today visited Sen. Manny Villar to personally thank him for the assistance provided by the help desk he set up for distressed OFWs.

The OFWs, through the work of Migrante International, were rescued from Khandara Bridge in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. They were repatriated by the Department of Foreign Affairs last month. They sought the help of Sagip OFW so they can pay for their transportation back to their respective provinces, mostly in Mindanao.

"Nagpapasalamat po kami sa lahat ng tumulong na makabalik kami ng Pilipinas matapos kaming manatili sa ilalim ng tulay sa Jeddah ng ilang buwan. Tiniis po namin ang init at lamig pati po ang pagbaha doon, may mga kasama pa kaming mga bata," said Arnulfo Manongdo, one of the repatriated OFWs.

Manongdo hails from Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. He went to Saudi in 2006 as a machine operator. He was promised to receive SR1,600 salary but was only getting SR450 or roughly P5,000.

Aside from the transportation assistance, the children also received milk, toys, diapers and vitamins from Villar.

"Alam natin na malaki ang problema ng mga manggagawa sa ibang bansa kaya ipinaglalaban natin na madagdagan ang pondo ng gobyerno para maasikaso sila, lalo na yung mga matagal nang naghihintay para makauwi," Villar said after meeting the group.

Khandara Bridge became the area where overstaying nationalities wait for their deportation back to their countries. They stayed in makeshift tents under the bridge.

Filipinos who converge here experienced unfair treatment from their employers, including contract substitution, low pay and worked excessive hours. Some of them entered Saudi Arabia without proper documentation.

FACT SHEET:
Stranded OFWs in Khandara Bridge