Valenzuelano Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who were recently evacuated from Libya received PhP 5,000 financial assistance from the Valenzuela City Government through the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO).

CSWDO Officer-in-Charge Ms. Dorothy Evangelista accompanied the six skilled workers  to the office of the City Mayor Sherwin T. Gatchalian last Friday, May 13.

“When we arrived last March, some of our friends who went home ahead suggested that we seek assistance from the City Government.  We are surprised that the Mayor himself would welcome us here,” said Rowell Sibug, a service administrator who was already working in Libya for a year and 3 months before the tensions broke out.

Earlier this year, a civil protest in Libya evolved into as a widespread uprising led by the opposition activists against de facto ruler and dictator Muammar al-Gaddafi. In no time, nearly half of the entire country was in unrest.  A few months later, al-Gaddafi regained control of most cities through force and violence against civilians. This prompted the Philippine Government to issue evacuation orders to all Filipino workers in Libya. The six Valenzuelanos who were strangers to each other were transported by bus to Libya’s Egyptian border with the help of their respective employers.  From there, the Philippine contingent to Libya and Egypt facilitated their return to the country in fear of impending attacks by other foreign governments.

Mayor WIN ordered the CSWDO to immediately find jobs for the repatriates.  He, likewise, guaranteed assistance to other evacuated workers, stating that “If you (repatriates) know of other Valenzuelanos who were evacuated from Libya, tell them to approach us without hesitation.  We are ready to extend as much help as we could.”

In response, Ms. Evangelista of the CSWDO wasted no time to act on the Mayor’s orders. Personal data forms that have been filled out by the repatriates were immediately processed by CSWDO staff, putting them on the “priority list.”

Mr. Roberto Tapang, a mechanical foreman who spent 19 years in Libya, considered the efforts of the City Government as a timely blessing.  “Sa itinagal ko sa Libya, napagtapos ko nang lahat ng mga anak ko. Malaking pasasalamat ko na sa anumang trabahong maibibigay sa akin ni Mayor WIN lalo pa’t malapit na akong mag-retiro. Ang importante ay hindi ko na kailangang lumayo pa ng Pilipinas. (My children have all finished college during my long stay in Libya. I will be thankful for any job that Mayor WIN can offer me especially now that I am already considering retirement. What is important is that I do not have to leave the country any more.)” He said.

Aside from Sibug and Tapang, the other repatriates who received financial assistance were Ricardo Coderez, Russell Ramo, Alvin Cabal and Lito Asuncion.