Daily TribuneThe new OFW Lounge and OFW Facilitation Center at Mactan-Cebu International Airport’s Terminal 2 were launched through a partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation and Cebu Pacific.
Dedicated facilities and accessible assistance for OFWs officially launched at Mactan-Cebu International Airport as the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation sign a memorandum of understanding.
Photograph courtesy of MCIA
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) departing from or returning through Cebu now have access to dedicated airport facilities designed to make their journeys more convenient, with Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) opening a new lounge and service center focused on migrant worker needs.
The new OFW Lounge and OFW Facilitation Center at MCIA Terminal 2 were launched on 26 June through a partnership among the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) and Cebu Pacific.
MCIA’s CEB Balik program
The facilities form part of MCIA’s CEB Balik program, an initiative aimed at creating a stronger support system for OFWs by bringing essential services closer to the airport environment.
The OFW Lounge, located at the Terminal 2 departures area near Gate 16, provides departing workers with a dedicated waiting area equipped with comfortable seating, charging stations, refreshments, and access to selected OWWA services, including OFW e-Card printing.
Meanwhile, the OFW Facilitation Center at the arrivals level near the passenger pick-up area serves as a one-stop location for returning and transiting OFWs. Through the facility, workers can process key government requirements, including Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs), without needing to seek separate assistance outside the airport.
ACAC general manager Ricia Vinelli Montejo said the initiative reflects the airport’s role beyond transportation by providing support to Filipinos beginning and ending their overseas journeys.
More than just an airport
“We are more than just an airport; we are their gateway to new opportunities and their first embrace when they return. Our goal is to ensure that our services consistently reflect that care and elevate their airport experience,” Montejo said.
MCIAA general manager and CEO Julius G. Neri Jr. highlighted the importance of cooperation between government agencies and private companies in developing services for OFWs.
“This project is a testament to what we can achieve when the government and the private sector work hand-in-hand. By centralizing these critical services needed by OFWs and providing a dedicated space for them, we significantly ease the burden of their travel,” Neri said.
Dignified treatment
DMW Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the facilities support the government’s goal of ensuring that Filipino workers receive dignified treatment throughout their overseas employment journey.
“At the heart of this milestone is a fundamental goal: Bringing dignity to the journey of every OFW,” Cacdac said. “Every Filipino who leaves our shores to work abroad is an ambassador of our nation’s talent, resilience, and character. They deserve nothing less than a dignified departure and a dignified arrival.”
He added that the initiative reflects efforts to bring government services closer to Filipino workers by providing assistance not only through policies and documents but through accessible services on the ground.
OWWA administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the dedicated facilities would help reduce the time OFWs spend completing administrative requirements, allowing them to focus more on their families before departure or after returning home.
“Our OFWs work tirelessly across the globe, carrying the hopes of their families and our country. They absolutely deserve a dedicated space where they can feel our immense gratitude and care,” Caunan said.
CEB committed to supporting OFWs
Cebu Pacific chief Marketing and Customer Experience officer Candice Iyog said the airline remains committed to supporting OFWs by improving services that respond to their unique travel needs.
“We recognize the invaluable contributions of overseas Filipino workers to our nation and remain committed to supporting their journey every step of the way,” Iyog said.
MCIA said the new facilities are part of continuing efforts to improve the airport experience for OFWs, who remain among the country’s largest contributors through overseas employment, remittances, and global representation of Filipino talent.
