The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia has issued a checklist of “to-dos” that overseas Filipinos applying for amnesty should follow so that their applications are not delayed, according to Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator Hans Leo J. Cacdac.
In a post on his Facebook page reiterating Jeddah Consul General Imelda M. Panolong’s announcement, Cacdac outlined the following points amnesty applicants should consider to ensure a smooth processing of their papers:
• OFs with cars registered under their names should come to the Saudi traffic police to clear necessary documents regardless if the car has not been with them for a long time.
• Those with outstanding debts, be it with the banks or credit firms in Saudi Arabia or other Gulf countries like the UAE, are advised to settle their accounts, and immediately inform PCG about this for appropriate government action.
• Those with police cases, including those who were placed under investigation but were not jailed, should inform PCG about it before applying for amnesty.
• Those who have filed labor cases should as well inform PCG to determine whether the cases are still active.
• Those already given exit visas and are purchasing tickets on their own are advised to obtain direct flights (no stopover) – either from Saudia Airlines or Philippine Airlines – so that they won’t have to go through immigration. They are also advised to get re-bookable tickets just in case their exit visa runs into a problem.
• Overstaying Hajj and Umrah pilgrims holding visit visas are advised to coordinate with PCG before buying a plane ticket because airport immigration would need to clear them prior to departure.
The amnesty program took effect on March 29 of which some 15,000 OFs are qualified, according to Assistant Secretary Hjayceelyn Quintana of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Those who avail of the offer do not have to pay penalties or exit fees and may even be allowed to return on a legal working visa, she said. (Jojo Dass)
