CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — The “Saudization Policy” issue notwithstanding, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in Central Visayas said it will continue to send overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, traditionally the top destination for Filipinos working abroad.

In a recent forum here, POEA7 Information Officer Fenita Berdon, underlined that there is no ban against sending OFWs in Saudi Arabia, which is why until now, the agency continues to process documents of such workers for work in that country.

She added that POEA7 has yet to receive a single complaint against said policy where private companies in Saudi Arabia, depending on its classification, are allowed to hire only a certain percentage of foreign workers, giving the rest of its job allocation to Saudi nationals.

POEA7 data covering January to June this year shows there were 20,800 workers who exited from Mactan Cebu International Airport to work abroad, most of these Middle East-bound with Saudi Arabia top on the list.

Of the total figure, 13,765 came from provinces in Central Visayas, and 10, 381 from Cebu.

Meanwhile, Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) 7 and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) 7 officials also said the so-called “Saudization Policy” will not affect much of the OFWs.

DoLE7 acting regional director Exequiel Sarcauga said the agency has yet to detect any significant adverse impacts as a result of said policy, where OFWs in Central Visayas are concerned.

He said even if there will be Filipino workers who will be affected by said policy, he is “positive” that this will be manageable as government has already assigned at least but he is positive that it will be manageable as the government have already assigned at least four Philippine Overseas Labor Offices in Saudi to assist those who will be displaced.