32 Pinoys Stranded in Saudi Arabia Get Plane Tickets Home – Report

At least 32 Filipinos staying at the Bahay Kalinga shelter in Saudi Arabia may finally get to go home after a Philippine airline donated tickets for them.

The 32 Filipinos recently received clearance from Saudi authorities to go home on Monday morning, Arab News reported Monday.

But Firma Bantilan, assistant labor attaché at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) in Riyadh, noted the Filipinos may have clear last-minute procedures at the airport.

Many of 32 Filipinos are household service workers.

Bantilan Cebu Pacific donated the plane tickets, which were issued through the Philippine Embassy, adding Consul Winston Almeda coordinated with the airline firm.

One of the 32 OFWs, Evangeline Bonita from Leyte, had been staying at the shelter for the last eight months.

Her case was resolved with the help of Philippine Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Rafael Seguis.

Graduating from courses

Meanwhile, Bantilan said 164 Filipinos at Bahay Kalinga are to graduate from different courses, including reflexology, cosmetology, basic hair dressing and entrepreneurship.

Another batch of 68 had graduated last July.

“The courses are part of the reintegration program of the Philippine government. Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz will be the guest speaker,” Bantilan said.

Baldoz while in the Kingdom is meet with Labor Secretary Adel Fakeih.

(Source: Joel Locsin/RSJ, GMA News)