January 4, 2023
Over 3,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the New Year’s Day air system glitch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that led to numerous flight cancellations were able to receive assistance from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
In a Laging Handa public briefing on Wednesday, DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the department helped the OFWs rebook their flights and were provided with food packs and hotel accommodations while awaiting their flight schedules.
“Ngayon, January 4, mayroon pa ring mga lumilipad out of the country from their rebooked flights noong January 1; at sa pagkakaintindi ko until mga January 5 or 6 iyong rebooking noong karamihan (Today, January 4, there are still those flying out of the country from their rebooked flights on January 1; and as far as I understand, most of the rebooked flights would be until around January 5 or 6). So, we had around 3,000 assisted [OFWs] that day),” Cacdac said.
The official said DMW has deployed teams at the NAIA to continuously assist OFWs.
He also said OFWs who needed assistance in communicating with their employers in explaining the delay of their arrivals in the host country were also assisted, as ordered by DMW Secretary Susan ‘Toots’ Ople.
“May direktiba si Secretary Toots sa kaniyang mga labor attachés na kausapin iyong mga employers na mayroong mga katanungan o pagkaklaro na kinakailangan dito sa mga nangyaring pagka-cancel ng mga flights (Secretary Toots has directed the labor attachés to talk to those employers who have questions or clarifications regarding the cancellation of flights),” Cacdac said.
He also expressed gratitude to the Department of Transportation, the Manila International Airport Authority management, and the airline companies who helped them assist the affected OFWs.
As of Jan. 3, Cacdac said around 200 OFWs are still staying in hotels awaiting their rebooked flight schedules.
At least 56,000 passengers were affected by the air system mess last Sunday. (PNA)