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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider House leader tells MIAA: Set up beds, shower area in NAIA for OFWs

House leader tells MIAA: Set up beds, shower area in NAIA for OFWs

Published Jan 17, 2023 12:50 pm

A deputy majority leader in the House of Representatives is prodding the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to set up a more comfortable waiting area for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Zamboanga Sibguay 1st district Rep. Wilter Palma (Facebook)

Zamboanga Sibguay 1st district Rep. Wilter Palma made this request to the MIAA--the operator of the NAIA--during the House Committee on Transportation's briefing last week on the NAIA New Year's day crisis.

“May I just request they (OFWs) should be given also proper accommodation. Let’s say the third, fourth floor, where we can put some beds or double decker beds and probably shower room while waiting for their flight, would it be possible?" Palma asked MIAA General Manager Cesar Chiong.

"Kasi nakakahiya Mr. Chair, kasi even near the restroom may nakahiga na mga OFW natin waiting for their flights (Because it's embarrassing Mr. Chair, because there are even OFWs lying near the restroom, waiting for their flights)," the House leader said.

Palma was alluding to the scenes in NAIA during the Jan. 1 power outage of the airport's Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM). The system failure caused the cancellation of over 400 international and domestic flights that day alone.

Over 65,000 passengers were affected, a lot of them OFWs.

Palma said that modern-day heroes like OFWs, whose money remittances keep the Philippine economy afloat, don't deserve such treatment. He said the least authorities could do is to give them useful amenities at the airport during such instances.

"Maybe the 4th floor we can put up one cubicle there with complete amenities, shower lang pwede na (a shower area will do). Food bahala na sila, at least our OFW will realize na mahal pa sila ng gobyerno natin (They can take care of their food, at least our OFWs will realize that our government still loves them),” he noted.

Chiong's response was positive and promising.

 

CLICK HERE:

https://mb.com.ph/2023/01/16/house-panel-resumes-naia-crisis-briefing-on-jan-18/

"We can look into that sir, I will discuss that with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administrator (OWWA) Arnell Ignacio tsaka si Usec. Cacdac who is with us from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

"Kasi during po sa nangyari, lahat po kami nag ikot po doon (We were there making rounds during the incident). And they were there also to assist the OFWs," the MIAA chief said.

The transportation panel chaired by Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop will resume the briefing on the NAIA crisis Wednesday, Jan. 17.

Related Tags

wilter palma Cesar Chiong Power outage shower New Years Day committee on transportation NAIA MIAA naia crisis 11723 amenities waiting area
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