OWWA vows to fast-track repatriation of OFW killed in Riyadh blast

MANILA, Philippines—The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration on Friday assured that it will work to speed up the process of repatriating the remains of Florentino Santiago, the 44-year-old Filipino worker, who was among the 23 people killed in a fuel truck explosion in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

“We don’t have the date yet, but we expect the repatriation to be soon because the cause of death has already been determined,” said Carmelita Dimzon, OWWA administrator.

Dimzon also assured that the family of the victim will be receiving P220,00 burial and death benefits from OWWA.

Aside from the financial benefits, Dimzon said, OWWA is also providing livelihood assistance to the wife of Santiago and scholarship for one of his two children.

Dimzon added that the OWWA is also ready to extend the necessary assistance for the 10 other overseas Filipino workers injured in the incident. “As of now the injured OFWs are still in Riyadh, but whatever assistance they would need we are ready to provide them,” Dimzon said.