Maria Susana “Toots” Ople, secretary of the Department of Migrant Workers. Senate PRIB file photo / Bibo Nueva España
MANILA, Philippines — There is a need for an institutionalized partnership among the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to manage crises.
DMW Secretary Susan Ople raised the necessity during a meeting with Senator Raffy Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, at the Senate in Pasay City on Wednesday.
Their meeting came after a power outage shutdown CAAP’s air traffic management system, affecting about 66,000 passengers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
“Admittedly po, we could have acted earlier. We need talaga a more institutionalized partnership with MIAA and CAAP,” Ople told Tulfo.
(Admittedly, we could have acted earlier. We really need a more institutionalized partnership with MIAA and CAAP.)
“Sabihan sana kami starting line pa lang nakikita nilang magkaka-aberya, sana may ganu’n and we will work that out po. Parang lesson learned po,” she added.
(They should inform us if there is a crisis, and we will work that out. Lesson learned.)
The secretary likewise reported that there had been no troubles for OFWs whose flights were affected by the airport fiasco as they have returned to work in their host countries.
“Walang na-aberya sa pagbalik sa trabaho. Most are rebooking, care of the employer na rin,” Ople shared.
(No one was troubled in returning to work. Most flights affected were rebooked in the care of the employer.)
“In instances na worker nagbayad ng penalty through suer, and as a result of this meeting, pwedeng makipag-ugnayagan sa OWWA (Overseas Workers Welfare Administration) and take [it] up with CAAP,” she continued.
(In instances wherein the worker paid the penalty through a suer, and as a result of this meeting, they can coordinate with the OWWA and take it up with CAAP.)
Earlier, Tulfo urged airline companies to offer special rates for OFWs affected by the airport turmoil, noting that airfares increased following the fiasco.