Mabalacat City Bus Terminal undergoing disinfection. Photo courtesy of Mabalacat City News
MABALACAT CITY – Returning overseas Filipino workers bound for northern Luzon may avail of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration free “Hatid-Sundo” service to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The OWWA free service initially caused some confusion here because there was no coordination from the OWWA to the city government. Residents here went online and vented their frustrations on why returning OFWs coming from Covid-19 stricken countries escaped the mandatory quarantine and called for the total lockdown of the Clark International Airport.
However, during the visit of OWWA deputy administrator Margaux “Mocha” Uson at the Mabalacat Bus Terminal (MBT) in Barangay Dau here on Monday, the confusion was promptly ironed out.
Uson, who was accompanied by Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia and city chief of police Lt. Col. Edwardo Guevarra, was met by MBT head Mel Garbo.
Uson said since last week, about 1,000 OFWs have been transported by the OWWA bus from this city.
Uson uploaded a video blog on Facebook on Tuesday showing her meeting with Mayor Crisostomo C. Garbo at the MBT where she admitted OWWA’s failure to coordinate with the city government. She said it was because of the sudden arrivals of the OFWs that the OWWA was not able to properly coordinate with the local government unit.
Garbo was also apologetic. “Nabigla ang city government. Pasensya na po kayo,” Garbo said. “Walang coordination.”
Garbo said everything is now ready: “Naka ready na pu lahat ng mga basic support na ibibigay ng Mabalacat City.”
The mayor said marked vehicles are provided for free to bring the OFWs back to their northern destination as well as food and medical needs.
Uson also requested Garbo for some accommodation for the OFWs while waiting for their relatives to fetch them from this city.
Garbo in turn named Blake Hotel and Sogo, both located near the MBT, for their temporary accommodations.
Garbo also presented Uson the OFW desk at the MBT manned by personnel from the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office and health workers aside from OWWA personnel where OFWs are checked and given clearance before leaving for their respective destinations.
The OWWA has rolled out the Hatid-Sundo service to and from the NAIA which identified this city as transshipment point for those bound for northern Luzon, and Bacoor City in Cavite for returning southbound OFWs.
This service provides free transportation for all OFWs, especially those who live outside Metro Manila. There are three routes: North Luzon, South Luzon, and NCR 1.
There are three trips per day for each route: 7 a.m., 12 noon, and 6 p.m. All trips begin at NAIA Terminal 3 and depart at the aforementioned times. The rides are available regardless one is traveling to or from NAIA.
