The Department of Migrant Workers on Friday dismissed rumors circulating on social media that lounges for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) at airports would cease operations, announcing instead plans to expand and enhance these facilities across the country.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac refuted the claims during a virtual press briefing, emphasizing the lounges’ success and ongoing commitment to supporting OFWs. “We are denying what is circulating on social media that the OFW Lounge will stop operating. No, these lounges have already served 1.5 million,” Cacdac said. He cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive during his 2024 State of the Nation Address to prioritize the comfort and protection of OFWs during their travels.
The first OFW Lounge opened in January 2024 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 in Parañaque City, followed by a second facility six months later. These lounges provide dedicated spaces for OFWs, offering free meals, internet access, and other amenities to ease their travel experience.
Patricia Yvonne Caunan, chief of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), said the government is not only sustaining the lounges but also improving them. “Instead of closing, we are in the process of beautifying, expanding, and looking for other locations,” she said, noting collaboration with the Department of Migrant Workers to identify additional airports for new lounges, including international gateways in Cebu, Clark in Pampanga, and Davao City.
Among the planned upgrades is an expanded lounge at NAIA Terminal 1, set to launch in the coming weeks, featuring dedicated booths for OFWs to print e-cards before departure. A pilot run of a lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City earlier this year received positive feedback, Caunan said. Starting Oct. 1, the Terminal 3 lounge will open a rest area with sleeping quarters, including 12 double-deck beds for women and 14 for men, a shower area, and two massage chairs donated by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. Guidelines for using the quarters will be posted on OWWA’s website and social media.
To further enhance the OFW experience, Caunan said the lounges will soon offer upgraded meal options. Cacdac assured that sustainability is not a concern, as the lounges are integrated into the overall costing of airport operations. “It won’t be treated as an additional burden,” he said.
The expansion and upgrades reflect the government’s commitment to supporting the millions of OFWs who contribute significantly to the Philippine economy through remittances while working abroad.
