6,000 OFWs repatriated as extended Saudi amnesty program lapses

More than 6,000 undocumented Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) have arrived from Saudi Arabia following the four-month amnesty program of the Saudi government.

According to the government's Rapid Response Team leader Mohammed Noordin Pendosina Lomondot, out of the 6,000 individuals, 2,000 OFWs which included 834 mothers and children, availed of the extended amnesty program.

“Itong extended amnesty program ang nag-avail ay almost 2,000, 'yung mother and children ay 834, tinulungan sila ng Rapid Response Team at ang air ticket ay provided ng DFA-OUMWA (Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers' Affairs),” Lomondot said.

The Saudi government earlier announced that it will implement a 90-day amnesty program for undocumented foreign workers to facilitate their repatriation. It was extended for another 30 days, which lapsed on July 24.

Virginia San Juan was among the OFWs who availed the extended amnesty program.

“Last minute na po ako nag-apply, nitong June 23 lang. Pinangakuan po kasi ako na may mag-aayos ng papel ko," San Juan said.

Another OFW, a certain Yusop, said they were lucky they were able to avail of the extended program after his wife gave birth.

“Naihabol din sir. Natatakan ang exit visa nung isang araw lang kaya makakauwi na kami," Yusop said.

Lomondot said the Philippine government will try to seek another special extension of the amnesty for the remaining undocumented OFWs. —report from Ronaldo Concha/Anna Felicia Bajo/ALG, GMA News