DMW continues accommodation for OFWs after airspace shutdown

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Wednesday said it continues to provide accommodation for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) whose flights were disrupted due to air traffic management system technical issues.

During the public briefing, DMW Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the agency helped 3,000 OFWs to rebook their flights.

“Sa ngayon, tinutulungan na lang natin ‘yung continuing accommodation nung may mga rebooked flights (as of now, we’re just helping the continuing accommodation for those with rebooked flights),” he said.

According to Cacdac, most of the flights were rebooked around January 5, Thursday to January 6, Friday.

On New Year’s Day, at least 282 flights were canceled, diverted, or delayed as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines recorded a technical issue at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center.

The system was partially restored on the same day and flights — both arriving and departing — resumed. 

A congressional inquiry is being eyed to look into the matter. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is willing to face external investigations over the incident.  — RSJ, GMA Integrated News