MANILA, Philippines — In a move to enhance services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), the Bureau of Immigration will roll out seven additional immigration counters at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 starting April 1, officials announced Tuesday. The expansion will double the number of dedicated OFW counters at the terminal to 14, easing travel for the country’s modern-day heroes.
Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval told the Philippine News Agency that the new counters will be supported by an additional 25 immigration officers, bolstering the terminal’s capacity to handle the steady flow of Filipino workers departing for and returning from jobs abroad. With the upgrade, Terminal 3’s departure area will feature 57 workstations, while the arrival area maintains 46 workstations and eight e-gates.
The initiative builds on a broader effort to prioritize the comfort and safety of OFWs, a commitment underscored by Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado during a February 27 episode of Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. “This is a shining example of a partnership between the private sector and the government, spearheaded by our President,” Viado said, highlighting the collaboration’s focus on supporting Filipino workers. “The priority here is the well-being of our OFWs.”
The expansion comes alongside perks like the recently introduced OFW lounge at Terminal 3, a project backed by Ramon Ang’s New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC). Designed to accommodate around 200 passengers, the lounge offers free food and drinks, resting areas, and charging stations—a welcome respite for workers often juggling long flights and tight schedules. A similar facility opened at Terminal 1 last year, a joint effort by the House of Representatives, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Manila International Airport Authority. Both lounges are accessible to all OFWs at no cost, regardless of ticket type.
The push for better OFW services traces back to a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., according to Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. “Taking care of our OFWs is a priority,” Viado echoed, reflecting a sentiment that resonates across government agencies and private partners alike.
For the millions of Filipinos who work overseas—sending home remittances that prop up the nation’s economy—these upgrades signal a tangible acknowledgment of their sacrifices. As NAIA Terminal 3 prepares to unveil its expanded counters, the message is clear: the government is doubling down on its promise to make their journeys smoother and their returns sweeter.
