JOEL P. MAPILES
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The Provincial Action Center for OFW Concerns (PACOC) has recently facilitated the repatriation of the remains of a Kabalen Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Riyadh Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Maria Eliza Rey Yap-Munoz, PACOC chief, identified the deceased as Erwin Ramos, 38, native of barangay Sto. Tomas in Lubao town.
The PACOC chief said they coordinated with the agencies of the government to fast track the repatriation of the remains of the Kapampangan OFW.
This came as the provincial legal office has endorsed the case to the PACOC office for assistance upon the request of the family of the OFW.
Ramos, an OFW in Riyadh, died last June 13, 2010, due to a vehicular accident. He was working with AL Kamilin Trading and Construction.
He was recruited by Al Omairi Recruiting Office and has been working in the Kingdom for the past 3 years.
The Pacoc chief also disclosed that they consistently coordinated with the Office of Overseas Worker’s Welfare Office in the region involving the repatriation request by the family of Ramos.
“We have closely monitored the case even up to the Department of Foreign Affairs and we coordinated with Esteban Conejos Jr., DFA undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs to assist the family who were left by the OFW,” the PACOC chief said.
Yap-Munoz said as early as October, they were advised by Saudia Airlines about the repatriation of the dead, however, due to lack of health permit, the repatriation was delayed. At this point, the PACOC has called the attention of the employer to complete all the documents.
Hence, on November 2, the government of KSA has allowed the repatriation and the family has finally saw the body of their head of the family. He was laid to rest the other day.
As this developed, Governor Lilia G. Pineda through PACOC has also provided financial assistance to the bereaved family.
