A Philippine official who helped rescue a domestic worker in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, who had allegedly been abused, has been commended for the role he played in getting the maid home.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the provincial government of Palawan commended Jonathan Gerodias, a senior labor and employment officer at the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration office in Palawan, for coordinating the rescue of Jackilyn Berba, GMA News reported.
In a statement, DOLE said Berba was allegedly abused by her employer and was not allowed to leave Saudi Arabia. On Dec. 19 last year, the provincial government of Palawan received a request from Berba to return home.
The request was forwarded to Gerodias, who immediately coordinated with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to bring her home. Berba returned home within one week of the request being made.
Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez commended Gerodias for his quick response in rescuing Berba. “He is indeed capable of handling difficult cases that require complex skills,” Alvarez said.
Labor secretary Silvestre Bello also commended Gerodias for his dedication in the rescue of Berba from her employer.
“Your quick action by coordinating with the OWWA has earned the admiration and respect of the governor and as a consequence, of the entire DOLE. It demonstrates that we do not play lip service to our mandate to protect and attend, at all times, to the welfare of our overseas Filipino workers,” Bello said.
Mbuti pa c governor mbilis ang action kesa ibang pulitiko dami pang kuskos balukos bao kumilos