Remember the overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who lost her mind in Saudi Arabia but was left by her agency on her own, leading to her roaming outside the airport for a month?
Photo credit: Raffy Tulfo in Action / YouTube
Eva Alpon was found roaming outside Terminal 2 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by a cleaner who took pity on her situation.
Photo credit: Raffy Tulfo in Action / YouTube
Marilou Magallanes took care of Eva, providing her food and helping her out by talking to her and eventually finding her family through Facebook.
OFW Who Lost Her Mind in Saudi, Found Wandering in NAIA for 1 Month
Eva’s husband Roldan Alpon was advised to seek help from Raffy Tulfo. True enough, the couple was able to find help. Not only did Tulfo call DOLE Sec. Silvestre Bello III, he also made sure that the domestic helper is able to undergo assessment at the National Center for Mental Health of the Department of Health.
Photo credit: Raffy Tulfo in Action / YouTube
Tulfo told Bello that they wanted several questions answered. Foremost is that they want to know what really happened abroad that led to the OFW losing her mind. Also, Tulfo wants to know why the agency did not handle her homecoming or tell her next of kin so she could be picked up at the airport, especially considering they know that the OFW had lost her mind.
Photo credit: Raffy Tulfo in Action / YouTube
After talking with a psychiatrist, it was confirmed that Eva lost her mind from the experiences in Saudi Arabia. She experienced deep sorrow for being far apart from her family. She also revealed that there were times she was not able to eat but still had to work.
Photo credit: Raffy Tulfo in Action / YouTube
But what triggered her to go over the edge was when her employer got angry after catching her praying.
Photo credit: Raffy Tulfo in Action / YouTube
Through Bello and with the assistance of Tulfo’s team, Eva received Php30,000 for medication from the OWWA aside from other cash assistance extended to distressed OFWs.
Photo credit: Raffy Tulfo in Action / YouTube
Watch Part 2 of their story here:
Can OFWs Receive Money from OWWA?
Under the Reintegration Program, distressed OFWs are given Php10,000 as cash assistance for livelihood and income-generation for the family. This is through the Balik-Pinas! Balik-Hanapbuhay! Program.
Other assistance might also be provided, such as the additional Php30,000 given to Eva for her medications. Loans are also available for OFWs.
