The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced Wednesday afternoon the opening of new dedicated immigration counters for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, aiming to provide faster and more efficient processing for Filipinos working abroad.

In a statement, the BI said that the expansion aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s objective to improve services for OFWs in recognition of their significant economic contributions to the country.

BI commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado expressed appreciation to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) for the expanded immigration area, which is expected to alleviate congestion, particularly during peak travel seasons.

He also stressed the government’s continued prioritization of measures that enhance ease of travel while ensuring border security.

Viado cited that the opening of the dedicated OFW counters has already resulted in shorter lines at regular immigration counters in NAIA Terminal 3 for both Filipino and international departing travelers.

“This dedicated OFW wing is a testament to our commitment to making immigration procedures smoother and more efficient for our modern-day heroes. We recognize their sacrifices, and we want to ensure they experience faster and more convenient processing as they leave for work abroad,” the BI chief said.

The expanded area includes six additional counter spaces, staffed by 12 immigration officers.

The move comes ahead of long holidays this month, traditionally a peak travel period. With the additional counters and dedicated processing area for OFWs, the BI anticipates providing quicker service and reduced waiting times for outbound Filipino workers.

Viado expressed gratitude to NNIC and MIAA for their support in the successful implementation of the project.