Ramcita Egalan, the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Najran, Saudi Arabia, who sought assistance through DAILY TRIBUNE’s digital show Usapang OFW last month, is expected to be back in the Philippines this week.

On Thursday, 5 December, DAILY TRIBUNE contacted Department of Migrant Workers Undersecretary for Foreign Employment and Welfare Felicitas Q. Bay, who immediately referred Egalan’s case to the Philippine Labor Attaché in Saudi Arabia, Atty. Fidel Macauyag.

On Friday, 6 December, Macauyag traveled from Jeddah to Najran to meet with Egalan in person.

“We met at the airport. She was overjoyed and said she’s finally going home,” Macauyag shared in a Facebook post.

Egalan is currently under the custody of Najran-based coordinator Nemie Marcos, who confirmed that Egalan’s exit visa is expected to be issued by 9 or 10 December. Once granted, Egalan will be brought to Jeddah to be repatriated, with her return to the Philippines anticipated within the week.

Macauyag explained that the delay in issuing Egalan’s exit visa was due to her employer’s refusal to comply with a directive from the Saudi Arabia Labor Office.

“Her exit visa is being processed at the Najran emigration because her employer is refusing to issue it despite the order from the Labor Office,” Macauyag said.

The cost of Egalan’s return flight will be covered by her Philippine recruitment agency, SAF International Services. However, if the agency fails to pay for it, the Migrant Workers Office in Jeddah will cover the expense through the AKSYON fund.