By CESAR JOLITO III

About 16,623 Negrenses are currently residing in the Middle East, according to Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II, who also confirmed that three of them have requested assistance to return home.

Diaz said the provincial help desk has received around seven requests for support from Negrenses abroad, most of which simply provided preemptive information on their location and contact details.

However, three individuals — two from Kuwait and one from Saudi Arabia — have formally requested repatriation.

The requests were forwarded by the Provincial Employment Services Office to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for facilitation.

Of the three, one is from Himamaylan City while the two others are from Pulupandan town.

Meanwhile, Diaz shared an update on a Negrense from Isabela town who was unable to proceed to the Middle East and returned from Hong Kong to Manila.

The Isabela local government shouldered the plane ticket, and once the individual arrives in Negros Occidental, the provincial government will provide additional financial assistance.

“We are already trying to keep our help desk open for any communication needed to assist our Negrenses in the Middle East,” Diaz added, emphasizing the province’s continued support for its citizens overseas.

Earlier, the provincial government was preparing financial assistance for OFWs who may be stranded or displaced amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, as local authorities intensify coordination with national agencies to facilitate repatriation efforts.

Meanwhile, the Bacolod City government has activated a hotline and established a help desk to assist OFWs and residents with relatives affected by the tension./CJ, WDJ