Filipinos expect better services as PAL resumes flights RIYADH: Rodolfo C. Estimo Jr. | ARAB NEWS STAFF Saturday 20 July 2013 Last Update 20 July 2013 4:15 am Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Kingdom are looking forward to the resumption of Philippines Airlines (PAL) services in the country in the second half of the year. They say it gives them a sense of national pride when they see an aircraft with their national flag. Eduard R. Rodrigues, manager of a firm in Alkhobar, summed up the nostalgic feeling: “When PAL suddenly stopped its flights to the Kingdom a few years back, OFWs felt like orphans, so to speak, abandoned by their flag carrier.” Rodrigues, who is also business manager of the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association, said that OFWs subsequently had no choice but to fly other airlines. He was sure PAL would be patronized again by OFWs though they had already established familiarity with the flag carriers of Gulf countries. “With a good marketing campaign among Filipinos in the Kingdom, PAL would be able to win them back so that they become its regular and frequent flyers,” he said. Earlier this year, the country’s flag carrier announced it would resume operations in the Kingdom in the second half of 2013. It also ran advertisements regarding this in major local dailies. Benny M. Quiambao, Riyadh-based area manager of the Order of the Knights Rizal, said: “PAL stopped its operations in the Kingdom a few years back with a short notice, hardly giving OFWs time to ask why and to request that it reconsider its decision. I hope that this time, money is not the only consideration in resuming its flights to Saudi Arabia but also service to some 1.2 million OFWs.” He said public service should precede profits when it comes to a country’s flag carrier. The Saudi Ministry of Interior’s records show that there are 674,000 OFWs in the Kingdom. Dionisio P. Tabuco Jr., Qassim-based Filipino community leader, said OFWs welcome resumption of PAL flights, but cautioned that they are expecting better services. “One way of showing this is not only through participation in community activities by sponsoring different events but also by increasing baggage allowance,” he said. Stating that PAL should continue allowing the 40 kg baggage allowance or offer more if possible, he said: “OFWs love to fly home on a PAL flight. It’s like being in your own home. Patriotism swells up in their heart with the mere mention of PAL.” “OFWs used to excitedly await the arrival of a PAL flight at the King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. They leave their seats to peer through the airport glass wall, waiting with bated breath, as it were, for the PAL aircraft to taxi down the runway. And when they see the Philippine flag colors at the plane’s tail, immense pride engulfs them,” he said. ..
Posted on: Sat, 20 Jul 2013 06:17:42 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015