Newly Opened OFW Lounge at NAIA Terminal 1 Offers Free Comfort and Amenities to Overseas Filipino Workers
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 recently unveiled a new 24/7 free lounge dedicated to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). The lounge, which offers a variety of amenities such as food and drinks, an assistance desk, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, charging stations, and power outlets, is described as befitting for VIPs (Very Important Persons) by House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
House Deputy Majority Leader Zamboanga Sibugay 1st district Rep. Wilter Yap Palma expressed his gratitude to Romualdez for the opening of the lounge, which is free of charge regardless of the type of plane ticket the OFW purchased. Palma, a longtime OFW advocate, thanked Romualdez and President Marcos for supporting his advocacy to institutionalize free OFW lounges in international airports across the country.
Palma also mentioned House Bill (HB) No. 7065 or the OFW Resting Lounge Act, which aims to cater to the welfare of OFWs by providing them with necessary facilities and amenities to assist them on their journeys. The lawmaker envisioned these lounges as areas where “OFWs can find comfort, assistance and a moment of respite amidst the challenges of international travel.”
The OFW Lounge at NAIA Terminal 1 is a joint project of the House of Representatives, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). Plans are already in place to open a similar space at the nearby NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City.
