The Samahang Marinduqueno sa Kanlurang Saudi Arabia (SMKSA) was formally recognized as the 9th Chapter of the Marinduque International, Inc. during the MI, Inc. Board of Trustees meeting held in Marriott Hotel, Newark, New Jersey on September 19, 2008.
With the recommendation from the Marinduque Cultural Society of Canada (MCSC), then SMKSA President, Mr. Bert Pineda , his wife Annie and John Laus were convinced that joining the Marinduque International, Inc. was the right thing to do. Their organization has been sending financial and other things, in kind and other means to help our unfortunate townmates backhome. In Jeddah, OFW were also a receipient of their association's helping hand as shown in the picture below.
SMKSA is registered and recognized by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah as a legitimate Filipino Community Association. The Philippine Consul General Pendosina Lomondot JD-37-06 Series of 2006 signed all legal documents in November 2006.
On February 14, 2008, Ms. Salve Malapote, SMKSA lone delegate to the MISSION OF LOVE VI (MI, Inc. Typhoon Reming Mission) met with Dr. Rudy Jao and Dr. Hector Sulit and delivered $1000 financial donation to MI, Inc. typhoon Reming Disaster Relief Mission.
On October 2008, Bert Pineda and John P. Laus initiated the 1st Project dubbed "TULONG PARA SA MGA KABABAYAN" in Jeddah to help those OFW stranded and held at the premises of the Philippine Consulate. They gave Personal Hygene products especially women. In addition, SMKSA organized a Credit Cooperative for OFW's to save portions of their income for them to use in case of emergency or for them to send to their families backhome. SMKSA took the responsibility of collections and funding the loans of members to avoid loansharks mostly offered at higher rates. |
