Nacionalista Party (NP) President Manny Villar reaches out to some of the 80 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who were treated to a welcome party following their repatriation recently. The senator reunited the OFWs with their loved ones.

The sun shines for 10 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Syria who were treated to a welcome party following their repatriation recently.

With the help of Nacionalista Party (NP) President Senator Manny Villar, the OFWs celebrated their freedom with reunion, food, and music at his residence on Shaw Blvd. in Mandaluyong City. They expressed relief and gratitude along with 70 other repatriated OFWs from the Middle East.

It was an emotional moment for the OFWs who have long wanted to come home but lack intercession and sponsorship of their fees and plane fares. When they finally met their loved ones, the migrant workers shed tears of joy as they embraced one another.

Soon, the mood changed when crooner Luke Mijares performed songs for the OFWs. The tunes “Because of You,’’ “Kahit Kailan’’ and “Babalik Ka Rin’’ brought back memories for workers Leonida Baculi, Ruby Ann Datijan, Haydee Espiso, Divine Josha Florendo, Jonalyn Fuentes, Maria Cristina Lapidante, Eleonor Laure, Norayda Salibo, Olivia Senorin, and Neneth Villamin.

“Napakamalas ko na mapunta sa Syria,’’ said Datijan, who left South Cotabato in search of greener pastures.

“Habang naghihintay ako ng magiging amo ko ay nagkahulihan po sa agency. Lahat kaming nasa agency ay dinampot ng pulis.’’

Another OFW recalled her life abroad. “Ang boss ko ang may problema. Wala siyang permit sa opisina kaya hinuli siya ng pulis. At pati ako hinuli kasi hindi niya ako nagawan ng iqama (work permit) sa Syria,’’ said Laure, who worked as a secretary to the boss of the agency. She said that she has not received her salary of US$2,400.

The Filipina workers were deployed through a foreign agency which allegedly operated in Syria. In a raid by Syrian police, the OFWs were arrested and detained for lack of iqama which the agency failed to furnish them.

The rest of the 70 OFWs Villar repatriated came from Saudi Arabia, Oman and mostly Jordan where a deployment ban was imposed, resulting in their “undocumented’’ status in the eyes of Philippine authorities.

Villar said that he has also set up helpline “Sagip OFW’’ for distressed migrant workers to give them an avenue to air their plight for timely assistance, while battling for conducive economic conditions to expand opportunities in the country as a long-term solution.

Earlier, Villar has repatriated beleaguered OFWs from Riyadh, Jeddah, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Malaysia.

Harsh conditions faced by OFWs prompted Villar to actively press for the application of the “no-fault insurance’’ for OFWs, a form of indemnity plan in which anyone injured in an accident or misfortune receives direct payment from the company that has insured them, eliminating the need for victims to establish another’s liability or fault through a civil case.

“Nagpapasalamat talaga kami kay Senator Villar na nag-asikaso sa aming paglaya at pag-uwi sa aming pamilya sa Pilipinas,’’ Villamin said.

For three hours, the OFWs enjoyed the reunion with their family, friends and relatives. They also feasted on local delicacies such as lumpia, roasted chicken, caldereta, rellenong bangus, and mango gnash for desert.

Comedian Onse of DZMM who hosted the event cracked jokes during the party while the Agassi brothers brought cheer to the OFWs and their families. Mijares sang more songs to the delight of the guests.

Soon, the party was over. The OFWs prepared to return home with their loved ones, ready to leave the past behind, and start a new life.