Government to consider welfare of OFWs in imposing new policy on airport terminal fees

The government will take into consideration the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) when it carries out new policies, such as integrating terminal fees into the airplane tickets of airline passengers, Communication Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. said.

Authorities have announced that effective February 1, an integrated terminal fee will be imposed by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

“Isinasaalang-alang ng pamahalaan ang kabutihan at kapakanan ng mga libu-libong overseas Filipino workers, mga Pilipino na nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa at malaki ang ambag sa ating pambansang ekonomiya," Secretary Coloma said.

Secretary Coloma noted that if there are concerns from certain sectors regarding the issue of integrated terminal fees, they could raise them properly to concerned authorities.

"Isa riyan ang pagkakaroon ng pagdinig sa ating Kongreso at ito ay magsisilbing pagkakataon para bigyan ng liwanag kung bakit nagsasagawa ng mga bagong patakaran," he said.

"Kaya sa lahat ng pagkakataon, anuman ang mangyari, ang pangunahin pa ring konsiderasyon ay ang kapakanan ng ating mga manggagawa."

A number of opposition lawmakers said OFWs would be the hardest hit by MIAA's decision to integrate terminal fees into the price of airline tickets starting next month.

Bayan Muna party-list Representative Neri Colmenares said the integration of terminal fees violates Republic Act 10022 or the amended Migrant Workers’ Act of 1995, which exempts OFWs from paying the fee. (PCOO News Release)