Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople has ordered the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) and other concerned offices to assist Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) affected by the cancellation of all local and international flights at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
Ople also directed all its overseas posts to immediately check all cancelled flights to Cebu and provide the necessary assistance to OFWs.
“The DMW will continue to monitor the situation at the MCIA and extend assistance to all OFWs who have been affected by the decision of airport authorities to suspend all flights.”
All licensed recruitment agencies, through an advisory issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), were also ordered to assist.
“The DMW will continue to monitor the situation at the MCIA and extend assistance to all OFWs who have been affected by the decision of airport authorities to suspend all flights for a still undetermined period,” she said.
“Two Filipino seafarers were on board Korean Air flight KE 631 when it overshot the runway.”
“The OWWA has already fielded a team to assist our stranded OFWs and all overseas posts have been directed to do the same in their areas of operation,” Ople added.
In a report to the Secretary, OWWA Regional Office 7 (OWWA-R7) said two Filipino seafarers were on board Korean Air flight KE 631 when it overshot the runway Sunday evening. Both seafarers were reported safe and unharmed.
Airport officials said all 162 passengers and 11 crew were immediately evacuated and assisted by airport emergency personnel.
