Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) officials on Wednesday, August 29, admitted before the Senate hearing that assistance was not extended to stranded passengers, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), following the runway mishap at the airport.
General Manager Eddie Monreal of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) admitted that no food, water, or accommodation was offered to the stranded passengers despite having Php15 billion for disposal.
Earlier, several OFWs claimed that they are only relying to food and drinks given to them by other passengers who are already boarding their flights.
Monreal explained that it was the airline companies’ responsibility to assist the stranded passengers.
“Hindi po kami nakapagbigay ng pagkain at the time because we were busy in terms of the recovery,” Monreal said.
Following Monreal’s response, several senators expressed their dismay over the decision made by MIAA officials.
“Ano ba ‘yan? You mean your whole resources are just focused on recovery? No wonder there was chaos after that,” said Senator Grace Poe, the head of the Senate committee on public services.
Senator Richard Gordon, meanwhile, said that MIAA should have tapped the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to help assist the stranded passengers, particularly OFWs who feared losing their jobs due to the delay of their flights.
“Dapat ang team ng gobyerno, magtulung-tulong. Wag niyong hintayin yung airlines sapagkat yung airlines ang iniintindi niyan yung makakabawas sa tubo. Pero ang gobyerno, nababawasan yung reputation natin,” Gordon said.
On August 16, Xiamen Air Boeing 737 ripped off one of its engines resulting in multiple cancellation of flights after the runway was closed, leaving many passengers, including overseas Filipino workers, stranded.
Xiamen Airlines has since offered their “sincerest apologies” for the accident.
“Xiamen Airlines sincerely apologizes to all passengers affected by the incident and will do everything in its power to help these passengers,” said Xiamen Air chairman Che Shanglun.
Despite the apology, MIAA imposed a Php33 million fine against Xiamen Airlines covering recovery fees and opportunity losses as well as take off and landing losses, parking costs and staff overtime.
