Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Welfare Office IX (OWWA RWO-IX) on June 6, 2017 the rendered airport to seaport assistance to overseas Filipino worker Dayang Dayang Arwida Arubin who suffered from Central Cord Syndrome.
Central cord syndrome is an acute cervical spinal cord injury characterized by motor impairment in both upper and lower limb, variable degree of sensory loss below the level of injury and usually results in greater weakness in arms and legs.
OWWA Programs and Services Division Head Angeles C. Engalla and Labor Communication Officer Fatima Jane G. Salihuddin transported OFW Arubin and her sister who is also an OFW Dayang Arkreza Aubin from Zamboanga International Airport to the wharf where they took a ship to Jolo, Sulu.
PSD Head Engalla advised them to visit the OWWA focal person at DOLE-Jolo, Sulu to avail the services for them such as the KSA-Amnesty Program and Welfare Assistance Program (WAP). KSA Amnesty Program is available to (1) Residents iqama expired on or before March 19, 2017; (2) Workers with work permit but no iqama ID card; (3) Runaway workers reported as such on or before March 19, 2017; (4)Umrah and Haj overstayer (pilgrimage) without Haj permit; (5)Pilgrims without Haj permit; and (6) Infiltrators’ crossing Saudi borders. WAP on the other hand, is an assistance extended to OWWA members, active or non-active, and/or their families who are not eligible under any existing OWWA regular social benefit programs and services.
“Salamat po talaga Ma’am sa tulong ninyo, salamat sa tulong ng OWWA” were the words of the Arubin sisters before PSD Head Engalla and LCO Salihuddin left them aboard M/V Maria Rebecca Montenegro.