In a historic first, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos personally visited the Bahay Kalinga temporary accommodations in Riyadh, meeting distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), mothers, and children—and delivering the message they had long been waiting for: they were finally coming home.
Her visit marked the first time a Philippine First Lady visited Bahay Kalinga, the government-provided temporary accommodation for OFWs awaiting repatriation in Saudi Arabia.
The First Lady listened to their stories of hardship, quiet strength, and hope. The most powerful moment came when she announced that their journey home had been secured. The women clapped, cried, and embraced—a moving scene of shared relief and renewed hope.
As directed by the President, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) facilitated the safe repatriation of 43 distressed OFWs and 8 minor dependents, including those with medical needs.
Each repatriate received financial and reintegration assistance—₱50,000 from DMW, ₱10,000 from OWWA plus Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay aid, ₱10,000 from DSWD, and ₱60,000 from the Office of the President (OP)—along with travel luggage and essentials from the First Lady.
OWWA also provided transportation and temporary accommodation support for OFWs returning to Visayas and Mindanao.
One of the repatriates, Ana Dimalen, shared her gratitude upon arriving in Manila, “Pumunta po si FL sa shelter. Tuwang-tuwa po kami kasi nakita po namin siya ng personal at nagpapasalamat kami kay PBBM at natulungan nila kami makauwi sa Pilipinas. Maraming salamat po.”
FL looks after gov’t initiatives for OFWs
The First Lady also visited the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo Serbisyo Caravan, where she met OFWs availing themselves of services from frontline agencies.
It was the first time such a wide array of government agencies — including DMW, OWWA, PhilHealth (Philippine Health Insurance Corporation), SSS (Social Security System), Pag-IBIG, DTI (Department of Trade and Industry), Landbank, DSWD, PAO (Public Attorney’s Office), and PSA (Philippine Statistics Authority)—came together in one caravan to bring direct, on-site services to OFWs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
The initiative demonstrated the administration’s strong commitment to making government services accessible, no matter the distance.
Her visit culminated at the “Serbisyong May Saya, Hatid ng OWWA,” where thousands of OFWs gathered for a night of performances, talent showcases, and inspiring stories — a celebration of unity, resilience, and the enduring spirit of the Filipino migrant worker.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan underscored the significance of the visit, saying, “Ang pagbisita ng ating Unang Ginang ay parang yakap ng isang ina—paalala sa ating mga OFW na hindi sila nag-iisa. Tulad ng bilin ng Pangulo na iparamdam ang serbisyo ng gobyerno, patuloy kaming maglilingkod nang may saya at pusong totoo.”
With this visit, the Philippine government reaffirmed its commitment to deliver not just assistance, but genuine service and meaningful action for every Filipino abroad.
