Statement of Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Partido Liberal president, On thousands stranded in Philippine airports
Is anyone in charge? Thousands of passengers are stranded in various airports around the country after one plane skidded off the runway while landing at the Manila international airport past 11 p.m. of August 16.
More than two days have passed, the plane has been removed from the runway but flights continue to be cancelled and diverted, and uncertainty, if not chaos, holds those not just in Philippine airports but all throughout those in the region.
We call on officials of the airport and other related government agencies to help resolve the situation ASAP, particularly for the stranded passengers who are tired, sleepless, and hungry. Special mention for our leaving or arriving overseas Filipino workers who may have to pay for the delay in terms of visa fees, foregone work days, or even cancelled job contracts.
Meron bang nag-aayos? Libo-libong pasahero ang stranded sa iba’t-ibang paliparan sa buong bansa pagkaraang mag-overshoot sa runway ang isang eroplano habang nagla-landing sa Manila international airport lagpas alas-onse ng August 16.
Mahigit dalawang araw na ang nagdaan, naalis na ang eroplano sa runway pero patuloy ang pag-cancel at pag-divert sa mga lipad, at ang alinlangan, kung hindi man kaguluhan, ang namamayani sa mga paliparan ‘di lang sa Pilipinas kundi sa buong rehiyon.
Nananawagan kami sa mga opisyal ng airport at iba pang kaugnay na sangay ng pamahalaan para tulungang ayusin ang sitwasyon agad-agad, lalo na para sa mga na-stranded na pasahero na pagod, puyat, at gutom dahil sa nangyari. Tulong lalo na sa mga aalis o darating na mga OFW na malamang ay magbayad pa ng visa fees, naubos na mga araw-paggawa, o di kaya’y na-cancel na mga job contract.