Overseas Filipino workers may now avail themselves of the 24/7 OFW Lounge at Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for free, Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Sunday said.
Noting it was upon instruction of President Marcos, the Speaker said: “Now, our OFWs have a place to call their own in our airports similar to premium lounges being enjoyed by privileged travelers.”
“This dedicated space for our departing OFWs is now open. They may already use it. We have opened this on the orders of the President,” he said.
“This is just one of the OFWs VIP lounges we will open at the international airport in Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Davao for our departing countrymen. We want to pay them back for their sacrifices. They are our modern-day heroes. It is a legacy of the President,” he added.
Along with Romualdez, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator Arnaldo Ignacio and Deputy Administrator Mary Melanie Quiño inspected the OFW Lounge on the fourth floor of Terminal 1 near the pre-departure area last Jan. 13.
A similar space is already being prepared at nearby NAIA Terminal 3.
Romualdez said the use by OFWs of their VIP lounge is free of charge regardless of what type of air tickets (domestic or international) they are holding.
The lounge is patterned after similar spaces run by airlines but only for their business-class and first-class passengers, who are paying twice or thrice or more than economy-class riders, he added.
OFWs would enjoy the amenities of an airline lounge like an assistance desk; comfortable seating; wi-fi, charging stations, and power outlets; and food, including porridge, sandwiches, biscuits, pastries, and eggs; and drinks like water, coffee, and juice.
“We want to show our deep gratitude and appreciation for our overseas workers for continuing to help our country grow its economy and help their families through their remittances. Making their departure as comfortable as it can be and easing their loneliness is the least we can do for them. We want them to take care of themselves for our country and their families,” the Speaker said.
The OFW Lounge is a joint project of the House of Representatives, OWWA, Department of Migrant Workers, and Manila International Airport Authority.
“We also intend the lounge to be a place where our departing kababayan could build or foster camaraderie, share experiences, and maybe job prospects,” Romualdez said.