MANILA -- A labor officer of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has received a commendation from the Palawan provincial government and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for rescuing a distressed overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from her abusive employer.
Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez commended Jonathan Gerodias, senior labor and employment officer at the POEA’s provincial office, for coordinating the operation to rescue OFW Jackilyn Berba in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Alvarez made the commendation in a letter to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III.
“The Provincial Government of Palawan received Berba’s request to go back home last Dec. 19, 2017, for which we contacted Gerodias, who immediately spearheaded the rescue of Berba by coordinating with offices, such as Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA),” Alvarez said in a news release issued on Tuesday.
The governor acknowledged Gerodias’ efforts that led to Berba’s safe travel back to the Philippines within one week.
“He is indeed capable of handling difficult cases that require complex skills,” added Alvarez.
Berba was prevented from leaving the Arab country by her abusive employer at Forever Manpower Services, Inc. in Riyadh, the report said.
Meanwhile, Bello also commended Gerodias for his performance of duty and dedication to rescue Berba from the hands of her employer.
“Your quick action by coordinating with the OWWA has earned the admiration and respect of the governor in you and as a consequence, of the entire DOLE. It demonstrates that we do not pay lip service to our mandate to protect and attend, at all times, to the welfare of our OFWs,” Bello said in his letter to Gerodias.
The labor chief likewise urged Gerodias and his colleagues to continue bringing DOLE’s services closer to the people, particularly to OFWs who are in need, and be role models to his fellow workers. (DOLE PR)
