By Marita Moaje | Philippine News Agency
Overseas Filipino worker (OFW) Rhodora Alcaraz, hailed as a hero for saving a three-month-old baby during a deadly fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong, arrived in the country on Tuesday, after weeks of medical treatment and recovery.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who formally unveiled the Philippines’ first-ever transit tours and medical tourism lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, personally welcomed Alcaraz upon her arrival.
In his speech, the President cited Alcaraz for her extraordinary courage and selflessness.
“Ang ating mga OFW, ang ating mga bagong bayani, ang patuloy na nagdadala ng dangal sa ating bansa. Kanina po ay nakita ko si Rhodora Alcaraz Tuñacao,” he said.
“Sa kabila ng panganib na kanyang hinarap ay pinili niyang iligtas ang sanggol na kanyang inaalagaan. Pinapakita nito ang likas na malasakit ng Pilipino sa kaniyang kapwa,” he added.
On Nov. 26, a massive fire broke out in a residential building in Tai Po, where Alcaraz’s employers live.
Instead of fleeing for her own safety, Alcaraz, who just arrived in Hong Kong the day before the fire broke out, bravely stayed inside the burning apartment, held the baby tightly in a wet blanket, and used her own body as a shield against fire and smoke, saving the infant’s life.
She and the baby were miraculously saved by firefighters hours later.
However, due to the injuries incurred, Alcaraz was treated in an intensive care unit in a hospital.
On Dec. 2, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan visited Alcaraz at the hospital, where she was declared in a stable condition, and extended government support.
After arrival at the NAIA Terminal 3, OWWA assisted Alcaraz and her siblings in returning home to Laguna.
Marcos said Alcaraz’s heroism is a reminder of the bravery and dedication of OFWs worldwide, who risk their safety to secure a better future for their families.
“Katulad ni Rhodora, ang bawat OFW natin ay nagsisikap na mabigyan ng mas magandang kinabukasan ang kanilang pamilya sa kabila ng pangungulila at panganib. Kaya naman ginagawa ng pamahalaan ang lahat upang maging mas malapit, mabilis, at maaasahan ang ating mga serbisyo para sa ating mga OFW,” the President said.
