JEDDAH, 10 May 2006 -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday paid tribute to the Filipino community in Saudi Arabia for giving the Philippines a good name.

Speaking before Filipino community representatives at the Le Meridien Hotel in Jeddah, Arroyo told of the warm welcome given her delegation by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and other Saudi officials, which, she said, "shows the deep importance Saudi Arabia gives to Filipinos."

She said she felt honored that Saudi officials and businessmen alike spoke highly of Filipino workers, whom they acknowledged to have made a big contribution to the economic development of the Kingdom, be it in the industrial, health or service sectors.

Arroyo got a big applause when she said she was also honored by the pronouncements of Saudi businessmen that when it comes to talent (kagalingan) and good behavior (kabaitan), "Filipinos are No. 1."

In fact, she said, the head of the Saudi Arabian General Investments (SAGIA) had told her that Filipinos are the first preference of many employers because of the high standard and quality of their work.

Arroyo said she also learned from the Saudi Social Welfare Ministry that 80 percent of the Filipinos working in the Kingdom are in managerial or technical positions.

The notion in the Philippines is that most of the Filipinos in Saudi Arabia are domestic or construction workers.

Now that there is another economic boom in Saudi Arabia, Arroyo said she finds this an opportunity for more Filipinos to work here and for Filipino businesses to be involved in such sectors as construction and oil.

With over a million Filipino workers here, the accession of King Abdullah to the throne and Saudi Arabia joining the World Trade Organization, "this is a good time for us to be here. We feel inspired and challenged for more fruitful cooperation," she said.

Remittances

Arroyo also acknowledged that the dollar remittances of overseas Filipinos has become a very important part of the Philippine economy.

The peso has gotten stronger over the past months and the country is experiencing a real estate boom largely as a result of the remittances of OFWs, she said.

While seeking more work for Filipinos abroad, she promised to continue making the welfare of OFWs a priority of her administration.

"That's the least that we can do because you are representatives of the Philippines abroad," she said. "You are the best ambassadors of the Philippines to the whole world."

Serenade

Arroyo's visit to Jeddah was a most-awaited. Individual and members of various organizations from as far as Yanbu and Makkah jostled for seats but the Philippine Consulate General could give only up to 10 per group.

"We were only following instructions. It's for security reasons," said Labor Representative Des Dicang, who was the master of ceremonies during yesterday's event.

Accompanied by the Saudi Ambassador to Manila, Muhammad Wali, Arroyo came with Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago, whose entry was warmly welcomed by the crowd.

Also with the group were Reps. Benasing Macarambon, Abdullah Dimaporo and Alipio Badelles of Lanao, Rep. Benhur Abalos of Mandaluyong, Rep. Ana York Bondoc of Pampanga, and Antique Gov. Sally Zaldivar Perez.

Also with the delegation were Labor Secretary Patricia Santo Tomas, Trade and Industry Secretary Peter Favila, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla, Press secretary Ignacio Bunye, Secretary Nasser Pangandaman, National Broadcasting Chairman Cerge Remonde, and Arroyo's special envoy to the Middle East, retired Gen. Roy Cimatu.

Not seen was Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, who was with the president in Riyadh.

Arroyo introduced veteran diplomat Antonio Villamor, who was plucked out of retirement, as the next Philippine ambassa-dor to Riyadh.

Giving spice to the occasion were the Nightingales, a choir of Filipino workers at the Makkah Hera General Hospital, gave a stirring rendition of the famous songs Ikaw (You) and Handog (Dedication).

"We offered to serenade President Arroyo and her delegation to show our appreciation for visiting us in Saudi Arabia," Madam Sharifah Zeannat Ali, director of nursing at the hospital and leader of the choir, told Arab News later.

Impressive

The multilingual Arroyo got an enthusiastic start as she greeted the audience in Ilocano, Kapampangan, Cebuano, the Muslim greeting, Hiligaynon and Bicolano.

"Ang galing-galing talaga ni Ma'am," an impressed photographer said.

"Maganda ang ginawa niyang pagbisita dito dahil nakatulong ito na mapaganda at mai-angat ang imahe ng mga Pilipino. (It's good that she visited Saudi Arabia. It helped improve our image as Filipinos)," said Redentor Bual, president of the Boholano Community Group in Jeddah.

Nazruddin Dianalan, chairman of the Maisa group and Kasapi said: "She is trying her best to get help for our nation and promote close relations between the Philippines and Saudi Arabia."

Yanbu-based Ronnie Abeto of the advocacy group Pusong Mamon Task Force said: "Nagagalak kami na positive lahat ng lakad ni presidente at maraming good news lalong-lalo na ang ibinalita niyang pagpapalaya ng Saudi sa maraming preso na sangkot sa iba't ibang kaso ng paglabag sa patakaran ng Saudi. Bukod doon ay ang tulong niyang nakuha sa mga distressed na mga kababaihan. (We're happy about the president's fruitful trip, especially that it has resulted in the release of so many of our compatriots in jail, as well as the repatriation of distressed women OFWs.)"

Nilo Lucena of the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME) and current governor of the Toastmasters Area 24 said: "Kahit hindi natuloy ang sinasabing photo session with the president, 'yon lang mga magagandang ibinalita niya ay sapat na para maibsan ang aming pagkadismaya. (Even though the much-awaited photo session with the president didn't materialize, the good news that she brought were enough to erase our disappointment.)"

"She's very intelligent and I'm very proud of her. Kahit marami ang nagpapatalsik sa kanya, nandiyan pa rin siya. Talagang firm ang kanyang desisyon. (Though many want her out of the presidency, she's really decisive)," said Marilyn Lucero, who preferred to be known only as "an OFW."

Lorenzo Montilla, one of those who came all the way from Gizan in the southern region of the Kingdom, said: "Masaya ako at ang aking pamilya na makita siya. Maraming problema dito ang ilan nating mga kababayan na dapat agad magawan ng solusyon. (We're happy to see her. We have many compatriots who need urgent solutions to their problems)."

Said Romeo Patricio: Sana ang pagdalaw dito ni Arroyo sa Jeddah ay magkaroon ng assurance ang mga Pilipino na mawawalan ng biglaang trabaho dito sa kanilang pag-uwi sa Pilipinas. (I hope that with Arroyo's visit to Jeddah, those who lost their job here would be assured of employment at home)."

By Romy Tangbawan & Francis R. Salud

© Arab News 2006