CEBU, Philippines — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration on Friday inaugurated its third Overseas Filipino Worker lounge in the country at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, offering migrant workers a dedicated space to rest and access government services before their international flights.
Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan presided over the formal opening of the facility, which was established through a three-way partnership between OWWA, the DMW, and Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation.
“We believe our OFWs deserve a lounge of their own in one of the country’s finest international airports here in Cebu,” Caunan said. “It is a simple but meaningful way of honoring their sacrifices and recognizing their invaluable contributions to our nation.”
The lounge, operating under the agency’s “Alagang OWWA” program, features an 80-seat capacity and provides complimentary food and beverages, free Wi-Fi, charging stations, assistance desks, and comfortable waiting areas. It also functions as a one-stop service center where workers can register or renew their OWWA membership, obtain their OWWA E-Card, and access welfare and social protection programs without leaving the airport.
Caunan said the new facility consolidates government services and airport amenities under one roof for OFWs departing from Cebu, describing it as part of a broader effort to accompany migrant workers at every stage of their journey abroad.
“Through this OFW Lounge, we are bringing OWWA and DMW services closer to our migrant workers, ensuring they receive the care, protection, and support they deserve at every stage of their migration journey,” she said.
The administrator added that the lounge reflects the administration’s commitment to expanding services for overseas workers, consistent with directives from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to strengthen social protection for the millions of Filipinos employed abroad.
Overseas Filipino workers are a critical pillar of the Philippine economy, with remittances from abroad consistently among the country’s largest sources of foreign exchange.
