Clark airport reopens for arriving OFWs
Published Jun 4, 2020 12:00 am
By Genalyn Kabiling
The Clark International Airport is expected to reopen on Friday to accept flights carrying returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vivencio Dizon announced Thursday.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vivencio Dizon
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) Dizon explained that the planned reopening of Clark airport and other international gateways is part of the government's plans to decentralize the arrival of Filipino repatriates in the country. The government had earlier said it expects 42,000 Filipino workers to arrive in the country this month after being displaced by the coronavirus pandemic. The repatriates are expected to undergo coronavirus testing and two-week quarantine as a precaution against the coronavirus infection. “Ang gagawin po natin ngayon sa mga susunod na linggo ay idi-decentralize na po natin ang arrivals ng ating mga OFWs. Magsisimula po iyan sa pagtanggap ng Clark International Airport bukas ng mga flights galing sa abroad dala ang ating mga OFWs (In the coming weeks, we will decentralize the arrivals of the OFWs. It will start with Clark International Airport accepting flights from abroad carrying our OFWs tomorrow)," Dizon said during a press briefing aired on government television Thursday. “Bubuksan na rin po ang iba’t ibang mga international gateways natin (We will also open other international gateways),” said Dizon, also deputy chief implementer of the government's coronavirus response. Dizon said the country's improved testing capacity will facilitate the swift return of the OFWs to their hometowns. “Dahil po tumataas na ang capacity ng ating mga probinsya at ng ating mga siyudad sa labas ng Metro Manila, magagawa na po natin ito ngayon para po mapadali ang pag-uwi at makasama ng ating mga kababayang mga OFWs ang kanilang mga pamilya (With the increased testing capacity of our provinces and cities outside Metro Manila, we can now do it so our fellow countrymen, the OFWs, can go home and reunite with their families),” he said. The President had earlier directed authorities to hasten the testing procedure for OFWs staying in quarantine centers in Metro Manila so they can finally return to their homes. More than 24,000 OFWs have so far returned to their hometowns with the assistance of concerned government agencies.
Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vivencio Dizon(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) Dizon explained that the planned reopening of Clark airport and other international gateways is part of the government's plans to decentralize the arrival of Filipino repatriates in the country. The government had earlier said it expects 42,000 Filipino workers to arrive in the country this month after being displaced by the coronavirus pandemic. The repatriates are expected to undergo coronavirus testing and two-week quarantine as a precaution against the coronavirus infection. “Ang gagawin po natin ngayon sa mga susunod na linggo ay idi-decentralize na po natin ang arrivals ng ating mga OFWs. Magsisimula po iyan sa pagtanggap ng Clark International Airport bukas ng mga flights galing sa abroad dala ang ating mga OFWs (In the coming weeks, we will decentralize the arrivals of the OFWs. It will start with Clark International Airport accepting flights from abroad carrying our OFWs tomorrow)," Dizon said during a press briefing aired on government television Thursday. “Bubuksan na rin po ang iba’t ibang mga international gateways natin (We will also open other international gateways),” said Dizon, also deputy chief implementer of the government's coronavirus response. Dizon said the country's improved testing capacity will facilitate the swift return of the OFWs to their hometowns. “Dahil po tumataas na ang capacity ng ating mga probinsya at ng ating mga siyudad sa labas ng Metro Manila, magagawa na po natin ito ngayon para po mapadali ang pag-uwi at makasama ng ating mga kababayang mga OFWs ang kanilang mga pamilya (With the increased testing capacity of our provinces and cities outside Metro Manila, we can now do it so our fellow countrymen, the OFWs, can go home and reunite with their families),” he said. The President had earlier directed authorities to hasten the testing procedure for OFWs staying in quarantine centers in Metro Manila so they can finally return to their homes. More than 24,000 OFWs have so far returned to their hometowns with the assistance of concerned government agencies.