Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has announced that airlines must provide full refunds and waive rebooking fees for passengers who cancel flights due to Typhoon Opong. This directive follows a mandate from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to support travelers affected by the storm.
Lopez instructed the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to ensure compliance, emphasizing that airlines should promptly inform passengers about flight cancellations. He reiterated that rebooking fees and other charges should be waived, with refunds available for those who choose to cancel their trips.
Additionally, Lopez ordered airports to remain open and provide food and shelter to stranded passengers, with assistance from the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) implementing a no-sail policy for safety. For passengers stranded at ports, the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) are coordinating food and drink provisions.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been on heightened alert since yesterday in preparation for the typhoon, with over 5,600 PCG personnel and various rescue assets deployed to assist affected individuals.
