President Duterte on Saturday assured that the government is taking steps to protect overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East.
Duterte made the assurance during his meeting with Pahima Alagasi, the OFW who was scalded by her employer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 2014 and had just returned to the Philippines last Friday.
Duterte said during their meeting that the government is willing to do everything to help OFWs in the Middle East.
The Chief Executive, who said that he could not blame the OFWs if they had to work abroad for their families, reiterated his reminder to them to be careful since the culture and laws in a foreign country are different from that of the Philippines.
He also said that it was essential to maintain more than just good relations with countries in the Middle East as the region is of “great importance” to the nation.
He urged Filipino Muslims in Islamic states to help in protecting the human dignity of their fellow countrymen as he underscored that it is the interest of the Philippines to uphold the welfare and well-being of Filipino workers.
Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go said Duterte is delighted with the favorable outcome of Alagasi’s case.
“Natutuwa po kami, lalong lalo na si Presidente Duterte, at natulungan ng gobyerno si Pahima at naiuwi natin sya dito sa bansa at sa pamilya niya,” Go said in a statement. “Patuloy po nating tutulungan ang mga kababayan nating OFWs, in any way we can assist them, be it a legal matter or be it labor and employer-related,” he added.
“Like we have always been saying, the gates of Malacañang are always open and the ears of government officials will always listen to whatever problems our fellow Filipinos are experiencing.” (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
