The Philippines is being battered by the COVID-19 crisis. Lockdowns are everywhere, countless jobs are lost and so much more. One of the affected individuals is the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) who are trying to return to the Philippines and outgoing OFWs who are experiencing too many connecting flights, causing additional travel costs and hassle.
In line with this issue, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is planning to conduct an investigation to address the issue in which OFWs are getting stranded in airports because of several issues with the flights.
OFW Ivy Luz Quintin took to social media to share her experience when she got stranded for eight days in Indonesia and another two days in the Ethiopian airport.
According to Quintin, her employer already arranged three connecting flights before she can finally return to the Philippines. Everything went well with her flight from Saudi Arabia to Ethiopia. However, when she arrived in Indonesia, she, unfortunately, missed her connecting flight which was supposed to take her to Malaysia, her destination before she arrives in Manila.
Hans Leo Cacdac, OWWA Administrator is requesting to have a thorough investigation on the ‘chop-chop’ itinerary of the OFW, through the help of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
OWWA chief also thinks that it is better for the OFW to return to Saudi Arabia.
“Dapat siguro nagkaroon ng arrangement na binalik yung OFW sa kanyang pinanggalingan sa Jeddah,” says Cacdac.
Since the Philippines is having a travel restriction to travelers from Indonesia, the OFW is worried that she will be affected.
Meanwhile, Cacdac promised that they will arrange a repatriation flight to help the OFW return to the Philippines as soon as possible.
“Kami na kakargo ng issues and concerns sa travel restrictions, kami na bahala dun, we will work out those issues,” says Cacdac.
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