This year is indeed shaping up to be the year of overseas Filipino workers (OFW) who toil hard on unknown lands to make ends meet for their families.
Aside from the iDOLE or OFW ID, which will be launched July 12, OFWs leaving the NAIA airports will be completely exempted from the ₱550 terminal fee, starting July 31.
This means the end of going to refund counters. OFWs just have to declare that they are an OFW to be exempted.
According to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal, this exemption shall be recognized at any point of sale for tickets booked online, and through telephone and mobile applications.
Monreal said the selling agent may or may not ask for a proof of entitlement during transaction, but if no proof is shown “an OFW should be able to present at least one proof during check-in at NAIA”.
This initiative came after the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with 40 airline companies on March 15 in a bid to effectively scrap the terminal fee for good.
Proof of entitlement for OFWs will also be expanded under the new memorandum. It will now include documents such as valid employment contract or recent payslip, among others.
“Talagang tinutukan namin. Nakipag-usap kami sa airlines at nakapagkasundo kami kung ano ang kailangang gawin,” MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said in an interview.
The first phase was enacted on April 30, but only those who made face-to-face purchase of tickets through travel agencies or airline companies were spared.
Refund terminal fee from previous flights
OFWs who have not yet refunded their P550 terminal fee from previous flights may claim them at the airport’s refund counter.
Many of them do not get their refunds due to lack of time to claim or awareness of this privilege.
General Manager Monreal reminded OFWs that there is no expiration date for refunds.
In the meantime, he said, OFWs can claim it at refund counters or at the MIAA Administration Building.
To claim, OFWs must present their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), boarding pass, and e-ticket or official receipt or invoice showing ‘payment for terminal fee’ with the code “LI”.
Expat-friendly Emirates airline
Earlier this year, Filipino expats were already given this exemption to pay the local travel tax and terminal fees when they book flights to the UAE.
The airline complied with the Philippine laws concerning migrant workers and exempted OFWs from paying the extra aviation charges.
