Departing OFWs hit hard by NAIA runway mishap

Some departing OFWs stranded at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (naia) due to the incident involving a Xiamen Air plane had to endure hunger on top of the stress caused by their canceled flights.

A report by GMA News' Maki Pulido on Balitanghali on Tuesday said a group of OFWs stranded since Saturday enjoyed a full meal only after other departing Filipinos gave them food.

"Bigay din po dun sa may taas, ng mga kabayan po na paalis na po dito sa airport, tapos may baon po sila, iniwan na lang po sa amin," said Christine Gonzalez.

"Para talaga kaming kawawa dito," said Gemma Silvano, another OFW.

The OFWs were not entitled to hotel accommodation by their airlines since under the Air Passenger Bill of Rights, airlines will provide accommodations to passengers only if the cancellation of flights is its fault. The passengers however are entitled to refunds and rebookings.

"Kaya may hotel accommodation sa cancellation due to airline's fault kasi parang parusa yun sa kanila eh," said lawyer Wyrlou Samodio, officer in charge and deputy executive director of the Civil Aeronautics Board.

"Eh since hindi kasalanan ni airline yung cancellation due to force majeure o fortuitous event, walang ganong pananagutan. Rebooking lang or refund," he added.

The airline is also not mandated to provide food to the affected passengers in case of flight cancellation.

"Dahil kinansel na [yung flight] dahil sa force majeure at hindi ka pa rin umalis ng airport, posible talagang hindi ka makakain," said Samodio.

"Kasi nag-announce na ng cancellaton eh, pero di ka pa rin umalis."

Roy Silag, an OFW in Doha, Qatar, said he was frustrated that he has to pay more if he wants to board a flight earlier than the September 9 flight being offered to him by the airline.

"Bakit ganun pa kami magbabayad pa? Wala na nga kaming pera kaya gusto po namin agad makabalik sa Qatar," he said.

Aside from food and accommodation problems, OFWs also have to contend with the long queues to rebook their flights.

"Hirap na hirap na kami, wala kaming maasahan sa kanila. Sarili namin talaga," an emotional Donavie Gabo, who is bound for Qatar, said. —KBK, GMA News