Arroyo tells RP mission in UAE to resolve problems of stranded OFWs expeditiously

MANILA, Philippines - After bringing up the matter with United Arab Emirates officials, President Arroyo has instructed Philippine officials there to resolve "expeditiously" the mass termination of nurses at Al Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi and stranded Filipinos on visa runs.

Online news site Khaleej Times (www.khaleejtimes.com) reported that Arroyo, who made a brief stopover from Qatar, issued the order to Philippine ambassador Libran Cabactulan before she returned to the Philippines.

"The president conveyed the problems and complicated issues faced by the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in UAE. She instructed us to resolve these issues expeditiously," Cabactulan said.

The Khaleej Times report said Arroyo brought up the problems with UAE officials during her stopover in Abu Dhabi Monday.

Cabactulan confirmed the discussions at a Christmas party for distressed workers Tuesday night at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Dubai.

Cabactulan disclosed that before the presidential plane took off from the Abu Dhabi International Airport, Arroyo instructed him to follow up these matters as these were already discussed during her official courtesy call on UAE officials and over the royal wedding banquet.

Arroyo had also urged UAE businessmen to increase their investment in the Philippines, and expressed gratitude for the growing relationships between the two countries and the efforts made by the UAE government to assist the Filipinos.

Cabactulan said Arroyo also met the Filipino community in Abu Dhabi and expressed regrets for the short visit. – GMANews.TV

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