Tomas-Barandon-wishes-to-be-home-qatar-doha
Within the last quarter we've been featuring heart-striking cases from our fellowmen in middle east who were seeking public assistance. DiversityHuman.com witnessed the details of Mr. Alfredo Salmos and Nemencio Valencia's campaign to be reunited with their respective family. We are also awaiting developments for Diane Castillo's case who jumped off the window and currently waiting for help to have an operation due to multiple fractures she acquired.
And now, we shall feature, OFW Tomas B. Barandon, 62-year old, on his ward at Hamad Medical Heart Center in Doha, Qatar.
The following article is an exact copy from the official press release of Migrante-Middle East (MME).
90K rials bank obligation holding sick OFW’s repatriation
A 62-year old overseas Filipino worker (OFW) could not come home and reunite with his loved ones because of an outstanding bank obligation amounting to 90,000 Qatari rials (roughly little more than P1-M), according to Filipino migrant rights group providing assistance to distress OFWs.
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator John Leonard Monterona said OFW Tomas B. Barandon, 62-year old, of Taytay, Rizal province, conveyed to him during phone conversation his wish to be home and reunite with his family and relatives.
According to Monterona, OFW Barandon is presently confined at the Heart Center of Hamad Medical Hospital in Doha, Qatar.
“He was confined for treatment of health ailment. He’s old and is suffering from heart complications,” Monterona quoting OFW Barandon.
OFW Barandon has been working overseas since 1979. His first destination was in Iraq as a construction general foreman or supervisor.
In 2006, he was laid off from his job in Doha due to financial crisis. Since then he was not able to pay his bank loan base amount plus interest now reaching to 90,000 Qatari rials as he could not get a permanent job.
According to a Filipina nurse attending OFW Barandon in the hospital who has told the latter’s family that ‘his health condition is not getting any better and that if his repatriation is further delayed then they (Barandon’s family) may not see him alive.’ This prompted Anna, OFW Barandon’s daughter in the Philippines, to seek assistance from M-ME’s Monterona.
“Now I wonder where OWWA is?” Anna on her email to Monterona.
“I immediately endorse his case to OWWA care of Administrator Carmelita Dimzon asking her to call the attention of welfare officials in Doha to give utmost priority attending OFW Barandon’s situation and work for his immediate repatriation in coordination with the PH embassy’s assistance to the Nationals (ATN) section,” Monterona confirmed.
“OFW Barandon told me that according to an embassy official his travel documents such as passport and exit clearance issued by his sponsor are already ready but could not be issued a clearance from the bank due to his loan plus bloating interests,” Monterona added.
Monterona added the Philippine embassy officials in Doha should represent OFW Barandon with the bank officials where he has an obligation to pay and negotiate for deferment of paying his loan interests citing humanitarian consideration.
“Sabi ng POLO-OWWA ina-antay pa nila ang sagot ng Qatari Social welfare ministry na tutulong daw sakin,” OFW Barandon told Monterona.
Reference:
John Leonard Monterona
Migrante-Middle East regional coordinator
Mobile No. 00974 33 20 5565