A porter has found a missing bag at an airport in South Cotabato which was recovered and turned over to the owner.
A porter working at the General Santos International Airport found a bag containing a laptop, several hundred dollars and other valuables left by an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) last week, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said on Thursday.
The CAAP, the operator of the airport located in South Cotabato, said the bag belongs to a certain Noraima Impal, 39, of Parang, Maguindanao.
The OFW had just arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Doha, Qatar, and who later took a connecting Philippine Airlines flight PR455 (Manila-General Santos) on June 3, 2023.
Authorities said that while at GenSan airport, Impal left her black Nike bag on a seat while waiting for relatives to fetch her. In haste, she, however, forgot about the bag.
CAAP said the porter, identified as Edgardo Roy Butohan, noticed the unclaimed bag at the Passenger Terminal Building Departure Entrance around 1:05 p.m. on the same day. He immediately informed airport authorities about the incident.
Impal was surprised when an airport staffer called her on the phone concerning her missing bag.
Airport officials said the bag yielded 27 pieces of US one hundred dollar bills (P151,436.25), a laptop, and personal items.
CAAP had commended Butohan for his honesty.
"His remarkable act serves as an inspiration and reminder to all airport personnel and the aviation community at large, that honesty and upholding ethical values remain paramount in the service we provide," said CAAP Director General Manuel Antonio Tamayo.