Use Clark airport, OFWs urged

CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines – Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Visayas and Mindanao may find it more convenient to leave or enter the country through the Clark International Airport, an official said yesterday.

“With the launch of domestic and international flights starting December by the Philippine Airlines as well as increased flight frequencies by other carriers...overseas-bound Filipino workers could avoid the monstrous traffic going to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by flying from Clark,” Alex Cauguiran, Clark International Airport Corp. president and chief executive officer, said.

Cauguiran said Clark offers a less stressful departure and arrival point not only for OFWs, but also for other travelers.

”It could help ease traffic in Metro Manila, particularly on roads leading to the airport,” he said.

Cauguiran said Emirates would resume daily flights to Dubai starting December, Qatar Airlines to Doha, Dragonair to Hong Kong, Tiger Air to Singapore and Jin Air to Busan in South Korea. ???

He said Cebu Pacific has regular flights to Macau, Hong Kong and Singapore. ??

PAL  will fly daily from here to Incheon next year aside from domestic flights  to Caticlan, Cebu, Davao, Cagayan de Oro and Busuanga, he added.

“Clark is currently averaging 114 domestic and international flights weekly from these carriers,” Cauguiran said. ??

He said 122,473 OFWs flew from the airport here last year and 112,930 in the last 10 months.

A one-stop shop near Clark also provides government services needed by OFWs, he added.