The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has clarified the guidelines governing the use of its OFW Lounges at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), particularly for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with connecting flights.

The clarification came after an OFW raised concerns about her experience at the OFW Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3.

“We sincerely apologize for the exhaustion and emotional distress it caused our fellow Filipino upon their return home,” OWWA said in a statement.

OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan and other agency officials personally inspected the Terminal 3 lounge to assess its operations, hear concerns from OFWs and consult frontline personnel.

OWWA said the visit was also aimed at ensuring that the necessary clarifications and operational improvements would be implemented clearly and smoothly. OWWA has clarified the following guidelines:

• A returning OFW arriving from an international flight with a confirmed domestic connecting flight within 24 hours of their actual international arrival may use the OFW Lounge;

• A maximum of six hours per lounge visit will remain to ensure fair access and provide more OFWs the opportunity to use it;

• The 24-hour period is the basis for eligibility and does not mean a continuous 24-hour stay in the lounge; and

• An extension may be considered based on available capacity and verified special circumstances, such as medical needs, senior citizen status, disability, and other situations requiring additional assistance.

Every day, an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 OFWs depart from NAIA. Meanwhile, the seating capacity of the OFW Lounge is limited to 216 at Terminal 3 and 140 at Terminal 1.

Time-bound

The six-hour limit is important to allow more OFWs to maximize the use of the facility, especially those whose flight times are approaching.

OWWA also has an online, real-time OFW Lounge Management and Monitoring System to track the number of users and the available seating capacity in each lounge.

Before entering, OFWs will also see on the display outside how many slots are still available. This will make the actual situation in the facility immediately known, help avoid overcrowding, and better manage lounge use.

When the lounge is full, OWWA personnel will implement an orderly waiting or queuing system. The current occupancy, expected waiting time, and available assistance will also be clearly communicated to the OFWs.