OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino visited the recently inaugurated OFW Lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
During her visit, the party list lawmaker donated four (4) units of high-grade plasma air purifiers to improve the indoor air quality in the lounge and provided home-cooked meals to the OFWs in appreciation of their hard work and dedication before their departure for their overseas assignments.
This initiative is in line with her advocacy for the establishment of OFW lounges in all international airports in the Philippines, as highlighted during the budget deliberations at the House of Representatives in September 2023. To further underscore her commitment, she filed House Resolution 1305 last September 2023, calling for an inquiry into the establishment of OFW lounges.
The lounge, which officially opened its doors on January 16, 2024, is a collaborative effort between the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) under the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the OFW Party List, and the House Leadership under Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“We are glad that a daily average of one thousand [1,000] Overseas Filipino Workers are able to use the OFW Lounge and are being served with free food and drinks, essential amenities, Wi-Fi connectivity, charging docks, power outlets, and a paging system. It was a dream turned into reality as the OFW Party List worked closely with OWWA, DMW, MIAA, and DOTr from September 2023 to January 2024 on the preparations for and renovations on the OFW Lounges in NAIA Terminals 1 and 3. Ako po ay nagpapasalamat sa masisipag na opisyal at kawani ng mga ahensyang ito na sineryoso ang panawagan na magkaroon ng magandang espasyo para sa ating mga OFWs sa ating airport,” Magsino said.
Officials of OWWA, DMW, and MIAA accompanied Congresswoman Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino during her visit: OWWA Administrator Arnaldo “Arnell” Ignacio, OWWA Deputy Administrator Atty. Honey Quiño, DMW Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, MIAA General Manager Eric Jose Ines, MIAA Assistant General Manager Raffy Regular, and NAIA 1 Terminal Manager Arnel Atis.
The DOTr through MIAA has also designated a 270-square meter OFW lounge in NAIA Terminal 3, which is currently being renovated by OWWA and DMW.
