CNN Philippines’ David Santos contributed to this report
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 13)—The Department of National Defense said the first batch of returning Filipinos is scheduled to leave Iraq for Qatar on Monday night and may arrive in Manila tomorrow afternoon.
“If the airport can accept their flights, then makakauwi na sila,” said Lorenzana in a press briefing of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management.
[Translation: If the airport can accept their flights, then they can push through with their travel.]
NAIA was closed on Sunday after ashfall from restive Taal Volcano spread to parts of Luzon. It resumed partial operations Monday morning.
Some 516 flights and 25,000 passengers have been affected since Sunday afternoon following Taal’s sudden rumbling and belching of ash columns. On Monday, it spewed a “weak” lava fountain for an hour and half as volcanologists warned that a hazardous eruption remains imminent.
Lorenzana earlier on Monday said the homecoming of Filipino repatriates from the Middle East has been delayed due to the disruption in operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Lorenzana said that repatriates from the Middle East are currently on hold in their places of origin for a day or only for hours.
“Mga one day or hours lang siguro ýan. Kasi in-open na ni Manager Monreal yung airport…Pinapauna niyang paalisin yung mga nandiyan na kasing walang bay yung darating,” he said.
[Translation: It might take a day or only a few hours. Because Manager Monreal already opened the airport…He is just giving way for departures first because there are no available bays for arrival flights.]
Lorenza said 14 Filipinos are expected to arrive from Iraq amid the tensions between the United States and Iran. However, his department’s statement, which came later, said there were 12 Filipinos leaving Iraq for Qatar.
READ: NAIA resumes partial operations amid Taal eruption
In a statement Monday, the Defense Department said at least 12 Filipinos will leave Baghdad for Qatar at 9pm tonight. They are expected to arrive in Doha at 12:30 am Tuesday.
A text message shared by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana quoted special envoy to the Middle East Roy Cimatu as saying the Filipinos are waitlisted for the 2:35 am flight of Qatar Airways to Manila. If they will be accomodated, they will arrive in Manila tomorrow at 4:10 p.m.
Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal earlier clarified that despite the resumption of partial operations at NAIA, airlines were still finalizing information on the status of their flight schedules.
He added that arrival flights would only be accepted based on availability of slots at the terminals.
