Odong to help OFWs

Amid the imminent eruption of war between the United States of America and Iraq in the Middle East, Congressman Odong Saludo called on all Southern Leyteños to pray for peace and to have their relatives working as overseas Filipino workers (OFW) in the region enlisted at his Congressional District Office. 

This developed as the government strengthened its efforts in keeping track of Filipinos who might need the government’s assistance due to the looming war in the Middle East.  

In a press statement released by his office, Saludo encouraged all Southern Leyteños to cooperate and help the government protect the country’s “modern-day heroes” by submitting the names of their relatives who are working in the Middle East to his office in Maasin City. 

According to Saludo, the information would be very crucial in guaranteeing the safety of the OFWs in the region by giving the government an accurate account of Filipinos there.  The information would also help the government determine strategies by which Filipinos could be easily given refuge in case the impending war becomes full-scale.

“We have no control over the situation in Iraq.  Even if we are definitely against the war, it is not very easy to convince Iraq and US to put down their arms and settle their differences in a diplomatic manner.    We may not help our brothers and sisters who are already affected by the looming conflict in a grandstanding manner.  But in our own little way, we can.  We could pray for peace.  And most importantly, we could have them enlisted in my office”, Saludo added.

Relatives of the OFWs are encouraged to call (053) 570-8428 or (02) 931-6624 or email agshouse@mozcom.com to enlist their relatives.

(Released on February 14, 2003)