First Lady Liza Marcos visits Bahay Kalinga in Saudi

First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos visited the Bahay Kalinga temporary accommodations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia over the weekend. 

As part of her working visit there, the First Lady met with distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), mothers, and children, delivering the message that they were coming home. 

Her visit marked the first time a Philippine First Lady visited Bahay Kalinga, which is a temporary accommodation facility for OFWs awaiting repatriation in Saudi Arabia. 

During the visit, the First Lady listened to the stories of hardship, quiet strength, and hope of the OFWs. 

As directed by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) facilitated the safe repatriation of 43 distressed OFWs and eight minor dependents, including those with medical needs. 

Each repatriate received financial and reintegration assistance — ?50,000 from DMW, ?10,000 from OWWA plus Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay aid, ?10,000 from DSWD, and ?60,000 from the Office of the President — along with travel luggage and essentials from the First Lady. 

The OWWA also provided transportation and temporary accommodation support for the OFWs who are returning to Visayas and Mindanao.

Meanwhile, the First Lady also visited the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo Caravan, where she met OFWs availing themselves of services from frontline agencies. 

It was the first time a wide array of government agencies — including DMW, OWWA, PhilHealth, SSS, Pag-IBIG, DTI, Landbank, DSWD, PAO, and PSA — came together in one caravan to bring services to OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.—LDF, GMA Integrated News