MANILA International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal on Monday announced his agency would start on April 30 implementing a new policy exempting overseas Filipino workers from paying terminal fee.
Under the agreement signed by the airport authority with air carriers, OFW exemption shall be recognized at any point of sale in the Philippines or abroad beginning Sunday.
“As they buy their ticket, one has to state or declare that he is an OFW for exemption to be recognized. The selling agent may or may not ask for a proof of entitlement during transaction. If no proof is shown during transaction, the passenger should be able to present one during check-in at NAIA where same shall be validated,” said Monreal.
On July 31, on the other hand, air carriers will start honoring OFW exemptions at any point of sale for tickets purchased online, through telephone and mobile applications.
Among other validation measures that may be adopted by the air carriers, a passenger may be asked to show his proof of entitlement upon check-in at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Even the proof of entitlement has been expanded under the new agreement to include documents under the Balik Manggagawa exemption namely valid employment contract or recent payslip, among others. Previously, only the Overseas Employment Certificate was honored as proof of entitlement.
Owing to the one year validity of airline tickets, the airport authority shall retain refund counters at the NAIA Terminals until April 2018.
Beyond that date, refund may be done at the MIAA Collection Division in the MIAA administration building along MIA Road.
Monreal clarified that refund had no expiration and might be done through a representative provided proper authorization would be present.
“This is a dream come true for all of us and a fulfillment of a promise by President Rodrigo Duterte to look after the welfare of our dear OFWs,” said Monreal.
Last month, all 40 airline companies operating at the country’s premier international airport signed an agreement with MIAA and the Department of Transportation to exempt OFWs from paying the P550 terminal fee.