MIGRANT workers Secretary Susan Ople has directed the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Migrant Workers Welfare Offices to assist stranded overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose flights have been cancelled or delayed on the heels of the power outage and technical issues that hit the operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last Sunday on New Year’s Day.
On Monday afternoon, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said some 3,000 affected migrant workers were provided food packs and water by OWWA personnel.
Hotel accommodations and transportation were also provided for those whose flights were rescheduled or rebooked.
In a series of social media posts late Sunday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said the OWWA has been given instructions to provide on-site assistance to all affected OFWs.
“For OFWs in need of assistance due to cancelled and delayed flights at the NAIA, just visit the OWWA Assistance Center to get the needed help,” the DMW said.
Similarly, Ople placed all Migrant Workers Welfare Offices (MWWOs) on alert to aid affected OFWs in their respective jurisdictions.
“Sec. Ople has placed all Migrant Workers Welfare Offices (formerly POLOs) on alert to help OFWs stranded at posts due to NAIA flight delays and cancellations,” it said.
Last Sunday, domestic and international flights to and from the NAIA were disrupted due to a power outage and technical issues faced by the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center.
The incident has adversely affected an estimated 65,000 passengers of nearly 300 flights on New Year’s Day.
According to the Manila International Airport Authority, while flights have already resumed, flight operations are only expected to normalize within three days.
