Sagarbarria helps family of injured OFW in Riyadh

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The family of the overseas Filipino worker, from Banilad of this city who was seriously injured in a blast in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has started getting assistance from the city government, according to a PNA report.

Mercedes Rallustiana, mother of OFW Anthony Rallustiana, 32 and single, who is now confined at a hospital in Riyadh, was accompanied by the elder brother of the victim, Alan, to the city mayor’s office Monday morning to ask for help.

Mayor Manuel Sagarbarria immediately instructed Public Employment Service officer Socorro Mira to prepare the necessary documents to be faxed to the Embassy in Manila so the victim’s brother can fly to Riyadh.

On the other hand, the city legal office also assisted the family in preparing for the unconditional consent and authority to the officers and staff of the National Guard Hospital in Riyadh where the OFW is confined to proceed with all the necessary surgical operations.

Rallustiana sustained a fracture in his cervical spinal column that requires immediate medical and surgical operation. He was injured after a tanker exploded last week, claiming the lives of a number of people who were on their way to work.

Sagarbarria has assured the family that the city will shoulder the round-trip ticket expenses of the victim’s brother in coordination with the office of 2nd district Rep. George Arnaiz.

This developed as representatives of the Overseas Workers Welfare Association (OWWA) in Manila arrived Monday afternoon to assist the Rallustiana family. —(FREEMAN)