54 repatriated OFWs return from Jeddah

At least 54 overseas Filipino workers said to be "overstaying" at the Hajj Terminal in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia arrived home shortly after midnight on Thursday.

The 54 OFWs, including four children, arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport aboard a Brunei Airways flight 689 at 12:20 a.m., radio dzBB reported.

Before their arrival, at least 110 Filipinos staying at the Hajj Terminal had been brought home.

Vice President Jejomar Binay helped facilitate the repatriation of the overstaying OFWs.

During his visit to Saudi Arabia earlier this year, Binay asked King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al-Saud to repatriate 4,500 Filipinos, including 1,084 who are staying at the Hajj Terminal.

However, Binay learned that the Philippine government would need at least P143 million to pay for the plane fare of all the overstaying OFWs.

The Philippine Embassy had been paying SR 15 (P172) daily for every OFW housed at the terminal, creating a “serious drain" on the limited resources of the Philippine Embassy in Saudi.

Malacañang gave at least P205 million to the Department of Foreign Affairs to replenish its Assistance to Nationals unit, which is used to fund the repatriations.

The DFA and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration shouldered the plane fares of the 168 repatriates from Jeddah, the Office of the Vice President said. - VVP, GMA News

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