Polo-Saudi staff dies of COVID-19

Two weeks after the death of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) sheltering at the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, a staff member of the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (Polo) also died of COVID-19 complications. Three other Polo personnel have developed COVID-19 symptoms, prompting the consulate to temporarily close the Polo/Overseas Workers Welfare Administration office for 18 days from July 22 to Aug. 9. But the payout of cash assistance to OFWs displaced by the pandemic will continue until July 23, while the delivery of cash assistance to the homes of the beneficiaries “will proceed as usual,” the consulate said. Its hotline also remains open as well as consular services like passport renewal and assistance to nationals. —Dona Z. Pazzibugan