Alaminos mourns OFW’s demise
ALAMINOS CITY – An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who came home last May 6 seriously injured and paralyzed finally died Thursday in their home in barangay Bisocol here.
Thus, ended the struggle of Jennifer Perez, 24, to survive from the injuries she suffered when she fell from the second floor of the house of her employer in Ibrid, Jordan on her very first day of work.
However, her death only strengthened her bereaved family’s resolve to continue seeking justice from the Jordanian government.
Perez, a teacher by profession but employed as a domestic helper, suffered severe spinal cord injury when she was allegedly pushed from the second floor of her employer’s residence by her female employer on July 20, 2005.
A report said that Perez’ employer maintained her innocence and refused to pay her hospital bills.
The Ibn Al Haytam Hospital in Amman diagnosed her case as permanently paralyzed from the neck down with no chance of recovery.
The Office of the President through Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo, appointed Atty. Firas Taam’neh to represent Perez in the court in Jordan, upon representation of Mayor Hernani Braganza.
Earlier, the DFA helped Jennifer’s father, Herminio Perez, secure his visa for Jordan so he could attend to his daughter’s operation and other medical needs.
The national government, the Alaminos City government and the Alaminos diocese headed by Bishop Arnulfo Cabrera, provided financial assistance to help defray while Jennifer’s hospital expenses in Jordan.
Seeing no signs of recovery after eight months of hospitalization and on the recommendation of her doctors in Jordan, the family decided to bring Jennifer back home.
In mourning the death of Perez, Mayor Braganza said: “Like some of our kabaleyans, Jennifer left our city to seek greener pastures. It is really sad and unacceptable that her dreams were shattered in the hands of her employer that subsequently ended her dear life.”
Braganza thanked President Arroyo, Sec. Romulo and the OWWA for their generous support to the Perez family, especially during the critical period of Jennifer’s hospitalization and the last days of her life.
Mayor Braganza told his citymates: “We are one in grief and in search for justice”.
Thus Jennifer’s repatriation was made possible with President Arroyo’s intercession.
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