Press Release
May 23, 2009

"Neneng" gets medical help

NACIONALISTA Party president Manny Villar paid a surprise visit to a Filipina migrant worker who is recuperating from an operation of her fallen bladder (cystocoele) at the Las Piñas General Hospital Satellite and Trauma Center.

Villar's presence brightened up Gloria "Neneng" delos Santos, 41, whose employment as domestic helper in Riyadh forced her to carry pieces of heavy luggage to the third floor which led to her ailment.

The senator facilitated and sponsored the anterior and posterior repair of her bladder which was managed by Drs. Dolores Bello, Ligaya Rebancos, Elizabeth Roy, and Christopher Cruz.

"Dininig po ng Dios ang aking panalanging makapagpagamot at makabangon akong muli mula sa lahat ng paghihirap kong naranasan sa ibang bansa," the patient said, "Hindi ko na po makakalimutan ang lahat ng ginawang tulong ni Senador Villar."

It can be recalled that Neneng's husband Roger Gemina, who served as a waiter at the Manila Polo Club, asked Villar's help during an event where the senator was guest of honor, to repatriate his ailing wife, with whom he has five children, from Saudi Arabia.

Gemina said his wife also complained about sleeping in the laundry area and not being able to eat on time. She later fled and sought refuge in the Philippine embassy in Riyadh.

Villar said, "Giving our OFWs the medical support that they need is equally important as their repatriation, and such should likewise be prioritized in protecting their welfare."

On Feb. 19, Neneng finally came home with 30 other distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) via Qatar Airways Flight 646, under Villar's repatriation assistance program.

In his personal and voluntary capacity, the senator has set up the Sagip-OFW Helpline to provide distressed migrant workers an avenue to air their predicament for timely assistance, while batting for stable and conducive economic conditions in the country to expand opportunities as a long-term solution.

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