Speaker Martin Romualdez (left), OWWA Administrator Arnaldo "Arnell" Ignacio (center), and OWWA Deputy Administrator Mary Melanie "Honey" Quiño (right) inspect on Saturday night the OFW Lounge at Terminal 1 of NAIA. (Speaker's office)

House Speaker Martin Romualdez says overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) now have "a place to call their own" at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and it's fit for a VIP. 

Upon the directive of President Marcos, OFWs may now stay at the 24/7 OFW Lounge at Terminal 1 of NAIA, absolutely free. 

“Itong dedicated space para sa papaalis na OFWs ay bukas na. Puwede na nilang gamitin (This dedicated space for departing OFWs is now open. They can now use it). Now, our OFWs have a place to call their own in our airports similar to premium lounges being enjoyed by privileged travelers,“ Romualdez said in a statement Sunday, Jan. 14.

The House leader described the facility as a "VIP Lounge". VIP stands for very important person, which is an apt description of OFWs. 

The Speaker stressed that it is free of charge, regardless of what type of plane tickets the OFWs bought. 

The lounge is patterned after similar spaces run by airlines but only for their business-class and first-class passengers, who are paying twice, thrice or more than economy-class riders, he added. 

“Ito’y isa lamang sa mga OFWs VIP Lounge na ating bubuksan sa mga international airport sa Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, at Davao para sa ating mga kababayan na paalis at papunta na sa kani-kanilang trabaho abroad. Gusto nating suklian ang malasakit ng OFWs sa ating bansa. Sila ang modern-day heroes)," he said. 

(This is just one of the OFWs VIP Lounge that we intend to open in the international airports in Metro Manila, Clark, Cebu, and Davao for our countnymen who are about to leave for their work abroad. We want to give back to our OFWs for their compassion to the country. They are our modern-day heroes.) 

Speaker Romualdez, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnaldo "Arnell" Ignacio, and OWWA Deputy Administrator Mary Melanie "Honey" Quiño inspected the OFW Lounge at the fourth floor of Terminal 1 near the pre-departure area on Saturday night. 

They said a similar space is already being prepared at nearby NAIA Terminal 3. 

Free food at the OFW Lounge (Speaker's office)

The opening of an OFW lounge at NAIA Terminal 1 has also been advocated by Zamboanga Sibugay 1st district Rep. Wilter Palma, who has introduced a bill to this effect. 

The OFW Lounge is a joint project of the House of Representatives, OWWA, Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). 

Romualdez, who represents Leyte's 1st district, says the space would also include help desk where workers could seek assistance and answers to their questions, or discuss their concerns. 

“We also intend the lounge to be a place where our departing kababayan could build or foster camaraderie, and share experiences and maybe job prospects,” he said.