50 more Pinoy overstayers cleared to leave Saudi Arabia

Authorities have cleared at least 150 Filipino overstayers and runaway workers to leave the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Philippine officials said.

Philippine Ambassador-designate Ezzedin Tago, the consul general in Jeddah, said around 100 Filipinos have been booked for a flight to Manila on Monday.

In an interview posted on Saudi news site Arab News on Monday, Tago said another batch of 50 men and women will leave on May 19.

Those who were cleared to leave were among those who were transferred last week to the deportation center at the King Abdulaziz International Airport from the Haj Terminal at the Jeddah Islamic Seaport, the Arab News report said.

Under a special arrangement between the Philippine Consulate and the Saudi government, Filipino overstayers may seek admission at the Haj Terminal while waiting for their exit papers to be processed.

Hundreds of Filipinos have also listed up with the consulate to avail themselves of the amnesty for overstayers and runaway workers, which the Kingdom has extended until Sept. 14.

An earlier statement from the consulate said 470 of 1,160 Filipino overstayers, runaway workers and their children who were admitted to the Haj Terminal since January have already been repatriated to the Philippines.

Around 500 more overstayers are still at the Haj Terminal, including those who had earlier set up a camp outside the consulate.

Those who have a place to stay are advised not to seek admission to the Haj Terminal to avoid overcrowding.

Use of the facilities at the terminal also costs SR15 per person per day and the Philippine Consulate shouldering the amount.

On Sunday, Tago said the consulate has been billed SR421,463 (P4.850 million) for shelter rentals at the Haj Terminal as of May 30. - VVP, GMA News

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