14 OFWs die in tragic Saudi bus accident

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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has confirmed that 14 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were among the fatalities of a tragic bus accident in Al Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

“Our Embassy in Riyadh was able to contact the human resources (HR) of the company and the unofficial report they got was that a number of Filipino workers who rode a coaster last night from work site to accommodation got into a traffic accident,” DFA spokesperson Charles Jose said.

Sen. Ferdinand ‘’Bongbong’’ R. Marcos Jr. pressed two frontline government agencies–Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) – to ensure swift assistance to the families of the OFWs.

Reports revealed that the coaster, driven by a Pakistani, collided with a delivery truck on their way from the construction site to their accommodation. The reports also indicated there were 26 Filipinos who were onboard the coaster.

Marcos said the DFA should immediately accomplish all the requirements so the remains of those who were killed can be repatriated as soon as possible.

‘’Likewise, the OWWA should ensure the speedy release of all assistance for the family of the deceased OFWs and for those who were injured,” he added.

Marcos stressed that it is in this time of distress of the families of the killed OFWs when they need most to feel the government really cares for them.

“It grieves us that they met this tragic fate while striving for a better future for their families back home. The last thing we want to hear now are complaints the government is not doing enough to help them,” said Marcos.

Marcos said the family of a deceased OWWA member is entitled to receive R220, 000 in total financial assistance if an accident is the cause of death.

Also per OWWA policy, survivors of a deceased OFW are also entitled to educational assistance amounting to R5,000 for elementary; R8,000 for high school and R10,000 for college per school year, while livelihood assistance amounting to R15,000 is also given to the surviving spouse, he pointed out.

Marcos said the government should adopt an aggressive job generation program so Filipinos will no longer have to leave the country just to find a job to support the needs of their families.

If he wins as Vice President in the May 2016 elections and asked what portfolio would suit him, Marcos said he would choose the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) because he has concrete plans to improve job generation while initiating better protection for the country’s laborers.

Based on the statistics of the Commission of Filipinos Overseas (CFO), there are more than 1.2 million Filipinos based in Saudi Arabia.