The OFW lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport. OWWA

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has assured the public that Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) lounges in Philippine airports are here to stay — and even set for expansion. Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac dismissed rumors circulating on social media claiming the facilities would cease operations. “We are debunking what has been circulating on social media that the OFW Lounges will stop operating. That is not true. Already, 1.5 million passengers have been served by these lounges,” Cacdac said in Filipino in a virtual press briefing. He stressed that far from closing, the government is working to expand and upgrade the facilities across more airports nationwide. On October 1, the OFW lounge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 will launch new sleeping quarters for migrant workers. The expanded facility will feature bunk beds, showers, and massage chairs, providing comfort for OFWs with long layovers. Similar amenities are being considered for lounges in Cebu, Clark, and Davao airports, Cacdac added. “Sustainability won’t be an issue. It won’t be treated as an additional burden but part of airport operations,” he emphasized. In a separate interview, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said improvements are also being rolled out at NAIA Terminal 1. The expanded lounge there will include DMW and OWWA booths for e-card printing and other services. The first OFW lounge opened in NAIA Terminal 1 in January 2024, followed by a second lounge six months later. Since then, the facilities have served hundreds of thousands of OFWs, offering free meals, Wi-Fi, and dedicated services. Cacdac reiterated that the lounges are a long-term commitment by the government to improve the travel experience of migrant workers. “This is for our OFWs. It is part of recognizing their sacrifices and ensuring they have a dignified and comfortable experience while in our airports,” he said. CAM/Expat Media
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