Eager families welcome OFWs at NAIA ahead of Christmas

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) were warmly welcomed by their families as they arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on the last Monday before Christmas.

According to JP Soriano’s “24 Oras” report, OFW Misali Limbo hugged her nephews as she reunited with her family after spending the last three Christmases away from them due to her work in Hong Kong.

“Masaya talaga sa heart. Kung ‘di dahil sa kahirapan, hindi tayo mag-abroad kasi nakakaawa ang pamilya na iwan natin,” Limbo said.

(I’m really happy. If it weren't for poverty, I wouldn't have gone abroad because it’s sad to leave my family behind.)

Apple Flaminiano, a former OFW who now lives in Sweden, brought her family to the Philippines to celebrate Christmas.

“Iba kasi mag pasko sa Pilipinas kapag kasama ang pamilya kaya masaya umuwi,” Flaminiano said.

(It’s nice to go home because celebrating Christmas in the Philippines is different, especially when you’re with your family.)

Even as many Filipinos return to the Philippines to be with their families, many were also leaving to spend Christmas abroad.

A mother and her two children are flying to Hong Kong to celebrate Christmas with their father, who works there.

They got their boarding passes in less than 10 minutes by using the self-check-in counter.

A total of 84,520 international passengers and 85,658 domestic passengers have been logged at NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3 on December 21.

The 170,178 passengers translates to a 5.63% increase from the 161,108 logged passengers from the same period last year, according to the Manila International Airport Authority.

Short queues were observed at the immigration counters. 

OFWs, diplomatic passport holders, and business class passengers lined up on lanes dedicated for them.

Immigration e-gates also contributed to the prompt process at the Immigration section.

Airline passengers were reminded to check with their airline companies about prohibited items in the country they are visiting to avoid inconvenience. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News