OFW Party List Representative Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino conducted an ocular inspection of the proposed OFW Lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
During the budget deliberations at the House of Representatives last September, the party list lawmaker questioned the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on the absence of lounges for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). She also recently filed House Resolution 1305, which seeks an inquiry into the establishment of lounges dedicated to OFWs in various international airports across the country.
“Sinabihan tayo recently ng DOTr na mayroon na silang proposed OFW lounge sa NAIA 1 kaya’t ating binisita ito upang makita kung maganda ba ang espasyong inilaan tulad ng ating iminumungkahi. Nais natin makita kung accessible at komportable ang lugar. Dapat pang-VIP ang dating ng lounge dahil tinaguriang modern-day heroes ang ating OFWs. And we appreciate the commitment and initial steps taken by DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista, USec. Bobby Lim, and MIAA OIC Bryan Co on the establishment of OFW lounges in our international airports. Apart from the proposed lounge in Terminal 1, DOTr also designated a 270-square meter lounge in NAIA Terminal 3 for our OFWs and this is already being developed in coordination with DMW. Per MIAA, these will be operational by December 2023. Of course, we are also grateful to President Marcos for his policy directive to always prioritize our OFWs,” said Magsino.
Manila International Airport Authority Assistant General Manager Raffy Regular said the proposed lounge at the NAIA Terminal 1 measures 180 square meters.
It was also discussed during the inspection that the OFW lounge will be equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity for communication and information gathering purposes, battery charging docks and power outlets, paging system, and refreshments. These will be provided by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia and Assistant Secretary Venecio Legaspi, as well as Dr. Angela Superticioso and Dr. Ramon Barlisan of the Department of Health (DOH), also accompanied OFW Party List Rep. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino during the inspection. DOH, DMW and the OFW Party List met last October 3, 2023 to align on the plan to provide healthcare services at international airports to inbound and/or outbound OFWs. It was agreed in principle that a “Bida Kalusugan: OFW Health Desk for OFWs” will be established at international airport terminals, with pilot implementation at the NAIA Terminal 1. The health desks would provide OFWs access to basic health check up, healthcare information, assistance, and necessary medical services. This will be linked to the existing mechanism of the Inter-Agency on Medical Repatriation Program (IMRAP).
“Bukod sa OFW lounge, sinilip din natin ang paglalagyan ng OFW Health Desk sa arrival area ng NAIA Terminal 1 na bunga ng ating pakikipagtulungan sa DOH, DMW, at MIAA. Our OFWs deserve all the support and recognition for their hard work and dedication to our country. They deserve a red-carpet treatment as they depart from and arrive in the country. The OFW lounge and Health Desk in our international airports dedicated to our modern-day heroes are in alignment with this idea. Gusto natin ipadama sa ating OFWs na sila ang bida,” said Magsino.
