Seven Negrense Workers Stranded by Fake Job Return Home

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – A social media appeal for help led to the return of seven Negros Occidental residents who had been stranded in Palawan for nearly two months after falling victim to a false job offer.

The online post reached Bacolod Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya, who immediately acted to assist the stranded workers.

In a Facebook update on Sunday, Gasataya said four of the individuals are from Bacolod City, two are from Murcia, and one is from Binalbagan.

One of the workers said in a radio interview that they traveled to Palawan in March after being recruited for construction work.

However, the job did not match what was promised, and they were underpaid and unable to send money home due to poor working conditions.

Gasataya, moved by their plight, coordinated efforts to bring them back to Negros Occidental.

“They carried not only the weight of distance, but also the burden of being far from loved ones—enduring hardship in silence and holding on to hope when everything seemed uncertain,” he said.

The group arrived at Bredco port in Bacolod on Monday afternoon after traveling from Palawan via Iloilo.

The four Bacolod residents were welcomed by Barangay Mansilingan Capt. France Tionko at her office.

Gasataya thanked those who raised awareness and extended support to the workers.

“We did this together, and in doing so, we proved something greater—that no one gets left behind,” he said.