AL KHOBAR -- Some overseas Filipino workers based in the Middle East have pinned their hopes on President Arroyo’s visit to the region to resolve the many cases of distressed OFWs, including those on death row.

“We believe that the objective of our President is for the welfare of our less fortunate OFW lalo na iyong mga distressed OFWs, mga na-stranded sa Jeddah yung mga nasa deportation centers most especially iyong mga abused domestic help,” said Roberto Punzalan.

President Arroyo arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday for a three-day official visit. According to the website of the Office of the President, Mrs. Arroyo is expected to take up the welfare of the more than one million OFWs in Saudi Arabia and make a pitch for the Philippines as an attractive investment haven.

ABS-CBN Middle East News Bureau reported that there are 96 distressed OFWs housed at the Bahay Kaliya in Riyadh, 20 in the deportation area in Damman and 30 at the Saudi Welfare Agency in Damman.

“Ini-expect ko na sa pagpunta ni Presidente Arroyo ay matulungan niya iyong mga kababayan natin dito na nakakulong na, mapauwi na sila at saka iyong mga kababayan natin na nasa death row, sana mapagaan iyong hatol sa kanila,” said Ely Panahon, chairman, UFSA-DBL Basketball Group in Damman.

Correspondent Florante Catanus reported that an estimated 500 OFWs are currently detained at Eastern Saudi and Riyadh and 26 on death row.

Meanwhile, the All Filipino Community and Sports Commission (AFCSCOM) hope to bring to the President their concern about the “Embassy on Wheels”.

"All OFWs here in the eastern province are clamoring to have the ‘Embassy on Wheels’ na ipagpatuloy. Kami po sa AFCSCOM, we spearheaded a signature marathon kung saan ay we prepared a letter na iha-hand over natin sa pangulo,” said Max Bringula, AFCSCOM Deputy Over-all Chairman for Community Affairs.

Also included in the group’s petition is a request for additional personnel for the Philippine Overseas Labor Office that will focus on cases that are criminal in nature.

“Hinihiling po namin na sana po ay pagbigyan naman na maglagay din sila ng isang assistance to nationals empleyado dito sa eastern region na sana po ay isang vice consul o mas mataas. Itong mga police cases na hindi na po sakop ng labor ay sila po ang umasikaso, nang sa ganoon po ay ang ating taga-POLO ay makapag concentrate sa mga labor cases lamang,” said Reggie Montana, AFCSCOM over all chairman. With Balitang Middle East