Aeta worker lauded for returning money dropped by passenger at Clark airport

MANILA, Philippines — The Clark International Airport Corp. (CIAC) on Wednesday commended an Aeta utility worker for returning an envelope containing US$100 bills totaling to about P51,000.

Grace Laxamana, 42, was on duty on the second floor of the international departure when she spotted an unattended envelope on one of the gang chairs on Sunday afternoon.

“I thought it was just play money and immediately took the envelope and turned it over to airport operations officer Raymund Salazar who examined the contents. It turned out that the money was genuine,” Laxamana said.

In a statement, CIAC President Jaime Melo said Laxamana started working with them in 2006 and part of her job is to report to operations staff things that are left unattended around the airport.

“We’re proud of what Ms. Laxamana did. Her honesty is even more glaring since what she found was an untraceable envelope. Her good deed is truly worthy of emulation by all airport employees,” Melo said.

A review of the CCTV footage of departing travelers on Sunday afternoon showed one of the passengers dropping a white envelope while about to board Cebu Pacific flight 5371 bound for Singapore.

Melo said the money is currently deposited in the lost-and-found area and can be claimed by the owner anytime.

“We assure passengers of our strict policy to immediately turn over or return lost or abandoned items to their rightful owners,” Melo added.