Press Release No. 48-2012

9 April 2012

The Philippine Ambassador to Saudi Arabia visited Tabuk Region in northern Saudi Arabia on 20 March, and paid a courtesy call on the Emir of Tabuk Region as well as met with the Filipino community leaders.

Philippine Ambassador Mr. Ezzedin Tago paid a courtesy call on His Royal Highness Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz, the Emir of Tabuk Region, and discussed matters of mutual interest to both countries.  Ambassador Tago thanked HRH Prince Fahd bin Sultan for the hospitality accorded to Filipinos in Tabuk Region.  HRH Prince Fahd bin Sultan cited Filipinos in the Kingdom for their loyalty to their work, and he expressed hope that the situation with the household workers will be solved soon.

Ambassador Tago expressed profound gratitude of the Philippine government for the release of one Filipino in Tabuk who had been involved in a murder case against another Filipino.  The accused had served his sentence for public rights, and was released in 2011.

Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay, who is based in the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah which has consular jurisdication over Tabuk, joined the courtesy call by Ambassador Tago on HRH Prince Fahd bin Sultan.

The Filipino community leaders in Tabuk, led by Mr. Roger Mendoza who acts as volunteer coordinator for the Consulate in Tabuk, also welcomed the Philippine Ambassador Ezzedin Tago and Consul General Uriel Norman Garibay.

An estimated 8000 strong Filipino community in Tabuk have worked in the Kingdom for over 15 to 20 years. 

The community raised several issues important to them, including the provision of consular outreach and the license for a Filipino curriculum school in Tabuk to cater to Filipino children.  Ambassador Tago assured the community that the matter would be raised with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Education for their consideration.

The Philippine officials in Saudi Arabia also toured the Tabuk Agricultural Development Company, about 30 kilometers from the city.