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| Stranded OFWs line up to get onto confirmed flights arranged by the PCG |
Flights home for stranded OFWs arranged by the Consulate
with Cathay Pacific have elicited profuse thanks from those who benefited or secured
slots for the next voyage.
But many other stranded workers booked on other airlines
whose flights have been repeatedly cancelled are also asking for help.
As of Jul 9, more than 200 Filipinos whose previous
reservations had been repeatedly cancelled by Cathay
had listed up for the next flight to be arranged by the PCG with the carrier,
according to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration.
Welfare Officer Virsie Tamayao said that on Thursday alone,
a day after the Hong Kong carrier’s second
flight this month for the stranded workers, more than 70 had registered for the
coveted slots.
“Kahapon po ay 76 ang nagparegister pero there are already
over 200 listed since July 5,” Tamayao said in response to a query.
She said earlier that when there’s enough number of
passengers who have registered, the Consulate would arrange a flight with Cathay to fly them home.
The special flights have, however, caused resentment
from other OFWs who bought their tickets from other carriers like Hong Kong
Airlines or Philippine Airlines.
One said she lined up for a long time, only to be told at
the end that she couldn’t be listed for the arranged flights because she was
holding a PAL-issued ticket. She accused OWWA of being “unfair”.
However, PAL has not flown to and from Hong Kong since February
as a result of strict quarantine rules in Manila Hong Kong exempts
airline crew from the mandatory 14-day quarantine.
PAL only recently started accepting bookings again, but with
the quarantine issue still unresolved, most of its upcoming flights are likely to
be cancelled again.
Consulate staff also say that
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| No less than Consul General Raly Tejada saw off the first batch on Jun 6 |
Tamayao said six special flights to Manila
The workers who were able to return home on those flights
today thanked the Consulate, OWWA and the Philippine Overseas Labor Office profusely
for helping them get home.
“Thank you OWWA/POLO at isa ako sa mapalad na natulungan nyo
nakauwi nung July 6. Simula Hong Kong airport, pinakain at ginabayan nyo kaming
mga stranded OFW hanggang makarating dito sa Pinas,” said Chato Adame.
(“Thank you OWWA/POLO for I am one of the lucky ones who you
helped return home on July 6. From Hong
Kong airport, you fed and guided up stranded OFWs until we reached the Philippines
“At saludo kami sa mga [Coast Guard] at OWWA personnel na nag-assist
sa amin hanggang sa aming designated hotel na napakaganda at comfortable. God
bless you all. Sa wakas makakapiling na namin ang aming pamilya sa susunod na
araw,” she said.
(“And we salute the PCG and OWWA personnel who assisted us
until we reached our designated hotel, which is beautiful and comfortable. God
bless you all. Finally, we’ll be reunited with our families tomorrow.”)
Stranded OFWs who are still waiting for their flight
schedule equally thanked the Consulate for giving them hope just as they were
beginning to despair over the multiple cancellations.
Reading The SUN’s previous reports about the special flights,
the workers said they would also approach the OWWA to enlist for a slot.
Among them was Ann Magtolis, who said her CX flight had been
cancelled thrice way before the departure date: the first on Jul 17, then Jul 25
and finally, Aug. 1
Magtolis said she also bought a PAL ticket for Jul 17, but
that was only because she was desperate to return home.
Peng Magsayo said
she hopes she could fly home soon, as her Cathay
flight had been cancelled twice already. She has rebooked her ticket for Aug 2 and
is praying she could exit Hong Kong because
her visa will expire by then.
