Some stranded OFWs in HK arrive home for Christmas

Forty-one OFWs from Hong Kong whose trip to the Philippines got delayed due to problem with their travel agency arrived on Christmas Day at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.

In a 24 Oras report by GMA News' Tricia Zafra on Monday, 65-year-old Rosamina Concepcion said the trouble with their agency made her miss their family reunion.

"Meron kaming family reunion, sinabihan ko 'yung mga kapatid ko, pamangkin ko [na] magsi-uwi. Natuloy naman 'yung reunion kaya nga lang wala ako," Concepcion, an OFW for 34 years, said.

Concepcion shared that her family is just planning to go to Baguio before she return to Hong Kong on January 8.

According to Brigido Dulay, deputy administrator of Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), they would file a case against Peya Travel Agency, the firm being blamed for the delay.

"Magfa-file po ng kaso at tutulungan po ng ating embahada sa Hong Kong 'yung pag-file po ng kaso laban po sa travel agency po na Peya," Dulay said.

About 200 to 1,000 OFWs had discovered that the flights they paid under Peya Travel were non-existent, prompting them to demand refunds, rebookings, and answers from the company.

A certain OFW named Arlene Labrador said she is in favor of filing complaint against the agency. She was also grateful that the government will help them on the matter.

"Malungkot kasi di namin sigurado kung makakauwi talaga kami pero nung mag-announce 'yung tutulong ang presidente at ang ating consulate, OWWA, so masaya na rin kami at least nagkaron kami ng chance na makauwi at makapiling ang pamilya namin," Labrador said.

Meanwhile, Debbie Madrigano was also thankful that she arrived home in time for Christmas.

"Kahit papano, hindi man namin naabutan ang celebration ng Christmas Eve, at least andito pa rin kaming Pasko," Madrigano said.

The report said a total of 102 OFWs would be able to go home this Christmas as 52 will others were expected to arrive Monday night. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News