100,000 OFWs in RP for Christmas vacation

Close to 100,000 Filipino overseas workers (OFWs) have arrived for their annual Christmas holiday and hundreds more continue to arrive everyday, creating a lively and festive mood with relatives waiting for them at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Jeeploads of welcomers with children in tow camp at the NAIA’s public parking areas and jump with joy at the sight of their loved ones coming out with loads of goodies on a pushcart at either of the two terminals.

Flights from the Middle East, Taiwan and Hong Kong, where there are heavy concentrations of Filipino overseas workers are always full-packed with returning Filipino vacationers, making the airlines recover the loss of income due to the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States.

Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo said that she has increased the number of immigration personnel at the airport to cope with the big number of returning Filipino workers and balikbayans who line up for their arrival clearance.

OWWA Administrator Wilhelm Soriano said that the number of returning Filipino overseas workers is expected to reach more than 100,000 by the end of the year. He also said that OWWA personnel are assigned on a 24-your basis to assist the OFWs at the airport.

Soriano also said that the arrival of the OFWs for their annual Christmas holiday has somewhat buoyed up the economy as they fill up the malls and restaurants that have been reeling with the dearth of customers. So far, no untoward incident had marred the arrival of an OFW as government agencies operating at the NAIA were tasked to extend VIP treatment to theme. – Rey Arquiza