CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) --President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is going home tonight after a fruitful participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Bangkok.

One of the notable gains of President Marcos participation was the result of his bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the APEC on Nov. 18, 2022 wherein KSA prime minister told President of the decision of Saudi Arabia to pay 2 billion riyals worth of unpaid salaries of 10,000 Filipino workers.

President Marcos was able to secure “best gift” for OFWs this Christmas season during the historic bilateral meeting he had with the Saudi Crown Prince who is also Prime Minister.

“Napakagandang balita talaga. At pinaghandaan talaga tayo ni Crown Prince. Kaya’t sabi niya ‘yung desisyon na ‘yan ay nangyari lamang noong nakaraang ilang araw at dahil nga magkikita kami at sabi niya ito ‘yung regalo ko para sa inyo,” Marcos said of the Saudi Arabia announcement.

According to the President, he and the Crown Prince discussed the OFWs who make their way to Saudi Arabia and other opportunities for investment.

The President said Saudi Arabia's Labor minister also made an assurance that this will not happen again to Filipino workers going to the kingdom.

According to the chief executive, an insurance system for the workers will also be set up.

“Sila mismo magbibigay ng insurance kung sakali man mangyari ulit ‘yan na malugi ‘yung korporasyon na tinatrabahuhan nila at hindi nila makuha ang kanilang sahod, ‘yung insurance ang magbabayad. So marami rin talagang tinutulong sa atin ang pamahalaan ng Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said the President.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) secretary Susan Ople said the construction companies that declared bankruptcy in 2015 and 2016 and haven't paid back Filipino workers include Saudi OGer, MMG, and the Bin Laden group.

"The Crown Prince, His Royal Highness, announced and said that this was his gift – he really prepared for this and this was an agreement reached by the Saudi government just a few days ago," Ople said, echoing the President’s statement.

"So they have set aside two billion Riyals to help our displaced workers. So this is really good news and we thank po Saudi Arabia," Ople pointed out. (ops/pia-ncr)