DMW Secretary Cacdac wraps up four-city Saudi mission as assisted OFWs and dependents reach 4,220

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has concluded a four-city Solidarity and Services Mission across Al Khobar, Riyadh, Buraydah and Jeddah. The DMW said that as of Oct. 30 the government had assisted 4,220 OFWs and their dependents in Saudi Arabia and facilitated the repatriation of 573 Filipinos.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac has concluded a four-city Solidarity and Services Mission in Saudi Arabia, covering Al Khobar, Riyadh, Buraydah and Jeddah, The Filipino Times reported. The mission aimed to address the welfare and protection needs of Filipinos in the kingdom, particularly those affected by emergencies and difficult circumstances. Logistics News PH gave its Filipino name as Pakikiisa at Paglilingkod.

In a statement dated Oct. 31, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said that as of Oct. 30 the government had provided assistance to 4,220 OFWs and their dependents and facilitated the repatriation of 573 Filipinos from Saudi Arabia. The DMW said it delivered 5,832 services to Filipino workers and their families.

Four regions, one tour

Cacdac led the mission across four regions, beginning with Al Khobar in the Eastern Region and covering Riyadh in the Central Region, Buraydah in the North Central Region and Jeddah in the Western Region. The DMW said the mission was conducted under the government's Unified Package of Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) initiative, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive.

During the visits, the DMW chief met with Filipino community members to hear their concerns and discuss available government assistance. Among the issues raised were access to medical care, legal assistance, worker protection, repatriation and other welfare services. The meetings also covered skills development, education, livelihood assistance and reintegration programs for OFWs planning to return to the Philippines.

Cacdac personally distributed financial assistance to distressed workers and visited hospitalized Filipinos, according to The Filipino Times. The DMW said the mission allowed OFWs to raise their concerns directly with government officials and seek help through the department, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Migrant Workers Offices.

During the Jeddah leg, Cacdac inspected the newly renovated and furnished Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC). Logistics News PH said the centre is designed to provide enhanced shelter and support services for distressed Filipinos in the Western Region.

"Guided by the spirit of pakikiisa at paglilingkod na pagdaop-palad sa mga mahal nating KSA OFWs, this mission succeeded in bringing core government services directly to our workers and their families, particularly those facing difficult circumstances abroad," Cacdac said.

The DMW acknowledged the cooperation of the Saudi government. Cacdac also commended Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Raymond Balatbat, Consul General Rommel Romato, and Labor Attachés Dominador Salanga (Riyadh), Solaiman Mutia (Al Khobar) and Fidel Macauyag (Jeddah) for their coordination.

The DMW said it would continue bringing government services closer to OFWs, particularly those requiring immediate assistance overseas.

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