Desperate Mother Of OFW Finds Hope In Davide’s Office

Under the shroud of despair, helplessness and anger, Zenaida Yu, a grieving mother of an overseas Filipino worker, has found a glint of light in the office of the governor.

The 59-year-old mother from Toledo City sought the help of Governor Hilario Davide III last Tuesday for the immediate repatriation of the body of her deceased daughter from Al Nasiriyah, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

“Tabangi intawon mi mam, bisan diin nalang mi na ngadto. Hangtod karon wala pa g’yuy klaro kung ma-uli ba ang lawas sa akong anak,” a tearful Zenaida appealed to the governor’s secretary Diane Higida.

Zenaida said her daughter Lotis Yu-Camocamo died on Oct. 29 last year after the latter allegedly fell from the third floor of the house of her employer.

The news of her death reached home only on Dec. 27 through Lotis’ husband Domingo, who is also working in another place in Riyadh.

With Lotis’ body kept frozen in a hospital in Al Nasiriyah, Zenaida broke in tears several times as she recalled the ordeal her family had endured in order to bring the remains of her daughter back to Cebu.

“Bisan diin nalang mi ni adto. Sige lang mi nila og pasapasa mora’g bola. Pait intawon kayo kay akong anak naa ra gihapon sa morge,” Yu said.

At the governor’s office, her two sisters, Michelle Yu-Sereno and Norema Yu-Baron, as well as Lotis’ daughter Methuseal accompanied Zenaida.

“Mi anhi mi diri dili para mangayo og dakong kwarta kun dili matabangan mi sa proseso na madali og uli ang patayng lawas,” said Norema, the aunt of Lotis.

Lotis left behind three children, a son and two daughters.

Zenaida said Lotis was recruited in 2013 by Global Asia Alliance Consultant Inc. to work as a domestic helper in Riyadh.

NOT THE FIRST TIME

The Office of the Governor will send a letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Region 7 to inquire the status of Lotis’ repatriation.

The governor’s secretary said a financial assistance for burial would be extended to the family once the body arrives here in Cebu.

Higida said it was not the first time that Governor Davide helped in the repatriation of a deceased overseas worker.

Last year, the governor facilitated in bringing back the remains of an OFW from the United States.

REPATRIATION PROCESS

As an initial step, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) asked community development adviser Evelyn Deguit to accompany the family to the DFA Region 7 office and assist them in the repatriation process.

Deguit said the DFA 7 is now providing guidelines to the family so the body could be repatriated as soon as possible.

By Kelvin Canizares