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| Sec Cacdac (in blue shirt) is flanked by Mary Jane's parents |
Department of Migrant Workers
Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac visited the family home of detained Filipina Mary
Jane Veloso, in the wake of reports the Indonesian government has agreed to
allow her to return home so she can be moved to a detention facility here.
Secretary Cacdac and his team were
warmly welcomed by Mary Jane’s parents, Cesar and Celia Veloso, in their house
in General Natividad, Nueva Ecija on Friday, Nov. 21.
"Hopefully, we can bring her
home before Christmas," Cacdac assured Nanay Celia and the family.
The couple expressed deep gratitude
to the Philippine government, particularly President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., for being able to finally working on her return14 years after she was detained in Java after
6.3 kilos of heroin was found in her luggage.
Mary Jane was sentenced to death by firing squad, though she has consistently denied knowing she was carrying drugs. She alleged that a former friend, Ma. Kristina Sergio, had asked her to go to Indonesia before taking up an offer to work as a domestic helper in Malaysia.
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| Cacdac explains to Nay Celia how the government help them |
Cacdac and his team were warmly received by the Veloso family who extended gratitude for their visit, and for assuring support for their welfare and the future of Mary Jane’s two children.
“We are here to provide all the
welfare assistance that the government can offer to Mary Jane's family as
directed by the President,” said Cacdac.
He promised to provide psychosocial
counseling and skills training for Mary Jane’s eldest son, Daniel, along with
allowances to help him focus on his studies.
DMW also distributed training
vouchers from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) to
the rest of the Veloso family, along with some financial assistance and a
grocery pack.
Cacdac assured the family that the
DMW would continue working closely with them to ensure they have access to
government programs such as medical care and other support programs.
Dr. Emanuel San Juan, municipal administrator
of General Natividad , reiterated commitment to support the Veloso family
through employment assistance and skills training from TESDA.
Cacdac also took the chance to speak
with Mary Jane’s sister who is working in Riyadh. On being told about her
concerns with her employer Cacdac advised her to remain calm and wait for the visit
of Migrant Workers Office staff who would arrange for her safe repatriation.
He also promised to refer the medical concerns of her
grandchildren to the Department of Health (DOH).
“This visit is a testament to our
ongoing commitment to the welfare of our overseas workers and their families.
We will not leave them behind, and we will continue to extend support to Nanay
Celia and her family, especially in helping them secure a better future for her
grand children,” Secretary Cacdac said.
The visit ended with a lunch "salo-salo" with the Veloso family, courtesy
of the municipal government and PESO.
