DMW lauds selfless service of Filipino Volunteers in Jeddah

JEDDAH---The Bagong Bayani ng Mundo: OFW Serbisyo Caravan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on August 8 and 9 just concluded with a resounding success.

Aside from the officials and personnel of the Department of Migrant Workers and the different agencies involved, little did the public know that also behind this seamless and organized event were the Filipino volunteers who selflessly dedicated their time and effort to serve their fellow migrant workers.

Thus, the DMW recognized the service of the Filipino community organizations, particularly the OFW Council of Leaders, Guardians International, The Fraternal Order of Eagles - Philippine Eagles, inc. the Middle East Region - KSA, the Philippine Nurses Association and other groups in Jeddah.

These organizations mobilized at least a hundred of their members to assist in crowd management, registration, and guidance of OFWs availing the services of various government agencies during the two-day caravan.

DMW Sec. Hans Leo J. Cacdac with DMW officials and OFWs in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during the Bagong Bayani ng Mundo: OFW Serbisyo Caravan, August 8-9, 2025

Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac, together with Undersecretary Dominique Rubia-Tutay and Asst. Secretary Francis Ron C. De Guzman, OWWA Deputy Administrator Ryan Uy, and Philippine Consul General Rommel Romato, honored the volunteers in a simple fellowship shortly after Day 2 of the caravan, wherein each of them were given Certificates of Appreciation.

“Salamat sa inyo, naipahiwatig natin ang pagmamahal sa ating mga kababayan. Gusto ko ring sabihin ang pagpapahiwatig naman sa ating pagmamahalan sa pamumuno po ng ating Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” Secretay Cacdac told the volunteers, emphasizing the deep gratitude to their service.

Asst. Secretary De Guzman echoed this sentiment. “Events like these succeed not just because of official manpower, but because of the big hearts and willing hands of our kababayans,” he noted.

For Eagles Governor Faisal Latif, a manager with Toyota in Jeddah, their voluntary work in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) embodies their organization’s values: “Service through strong brotherhood.”

OCL - Jeddah Director General Mojiedah Dakmash meanwhile said that volunteering for the Serbisyo Caravan is now part of the celebration of their 10th year anniversary this coming August 29.

“Maganda ang nangyayari, pro-active na ang ating government at hindi na lang mga nakaupo sa opisina. We are very very happy sa initiative na ito,” Dakmash said as she assures that their group will again rise to the invitation to serve whenever they are needed in Saudi.

PNA Western Regional President Veronica Filipinas Saha enforced these values of voluntary service by ensuring that participants in the caravan are of good health and tip top condition; while Guardians Middle East Chairman, Romeo Climaco Jr. mobilized their members in assisting OFW clients and ensuring their safety throughout the two-day event.