MANILA, Philippines — Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) can avail of free transportation service from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine.
“Hatid-Sundo sa Stranded OFWs” is an assistance measure put forward by DOLE Secretary Silvestre Bello III and approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on COVID-19.
It was launched last March 17 and will run until the community quarantine is lifted.
As of March 21, 824 OFWs have availed of the service, OWWA said in a statement.
Seven buses have been shuttling OFWs across North Luzon, South Luzon and NCR routes with trips scheduled at 7 a.m., 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
OWWA released the routes on March 19 through its Facebook page and indicated that trips can also be monitored on its website through the following link: https://owwa.gov.ph/owwalocator.php.
OWWA likewise gave assurance that strict sanitation procedures are being observed, such as bus disinfection, social distancing, and proper hand hygiene amid rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.
OWWA noted that it faced challenges in transporting OFWs due to localized lockdowns in provinces.
“This a national emergency and in our effort to help we will encounter challenges. This is not the time to get bogged down by these challenges. Let us all move forward and continue our efforts,” OWWA Administrator Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac said.
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