First Lady visits OFWs in Riyadh

MANILA, Philippines — First Lady Liza Marcos visited over 200 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their dependents in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over the weekend.

She assured the OFWs staying in government-run shelters of the Philippine government’s continuing support.

There are 154 Filipina workers taking shelter in Bahay Kalinga 1 and another 70, including 28 children, in Bahay Kalinga 2.

Aside from financial aid, the OFWs received food packs, hygiene kits and other materials they will be needing when they return home.

This is the first time that a president’s wife visited government-run shelters for OFWs awaiting repatriation in Saudi Arabia.

The First Lady also joined the “Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo” caravan where she met OFWs availing themselves of services from various frontline government agencies.

Acting on orders of President Marcos, the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Department of Social Welfare and Development swiftly facilitated the repatriation of 43 distressed OFWs and eight minor dependents, including those with critical medical needs.

Upon their arrival in Manila, each repatriated OFW received financial assistance.

The initiative underscored the administration’s commitment to make government services accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of geographical distance.