Stranded OFWs at NAIA become emotional after getting flights home

Some overseas Filipino workers who had been stranded for days at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport became a emotional after they were finally given flights home.

According to Ian Cruz's report on "24 Oras" on Thursday, Babelyn Magallano, an OFW from Kuwait, had been sleeping at Terminal 2 for two nights already as she waited for a flight back home to Dumaguete.

“Siyempre kasi hindi po kasi kami ina-update kung ano status ng flight namin. Makakasakay ba kami? Makakauwi ba kami? Palagi kaming sinasabihan ‘wait lang po, wait lang.’ ‘Yon bang pinapaasa lang kami sa wala,” Magallano said.

When she was already informed about her flight, Magallano's frustration was replaced with relief. She said she could not wait to see her family.

She also called on the authorities to fix the system, especially as more OFWs are expected to return to the country in June.

“Hopefully hindi sila matulad sa amin na naghihintay ng wala. Pinipick-up sa hotel na wala naman kasiguraduhan na may flight po pala,” she said.

Roseller Balarote, an OFW from South Korea, had been stranded at Terminal 2 for three days.

“Noong first night ko dito, talagang hindi kami naabutan ng pagkain kasi naubusan po. Kinabukasan naman po tanghali bale ‘yong breakfast at lunch namin ‘yon na po. Wala pong dinner… Breakfast at lunch pinag-isa,” he said.

Balarote also became emotional when he learned about his flight home.

“Siyempre po yayakapin ‘yong buong pamilya ko. Talagang masaya po talagang makakauwi at makakapiling ko po sila,” he said.

Aside from Magallano and Balarote, OFWs returning to Dipolog were able to get a flight, while those returning to Palawan will be able to get home on Thursday night.

“I think we’re seeing a lot of gains as we go along. This is the fourth day and let’s remember na we’re still in the middle of the repatriation process. For me the real challenge is when they get home. Kaya nandoon din nakaabang din ang OWWA sa kanilang reintegration,” Overseas Workers Welfare Administration chief Hans Leo Cacdac said.

Out of the over 24,000 OFWs, Cacdac said, about 16,000 were already able to get home to their respective provinces. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News