Following the success of the OFW Lounge at Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) plans to establish similar facilities in key international airports, including Clark in Pampanga, Mactan-Cebu, and Davao.
The OFW Lounge at NAIA, built by the New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) and turned over to OWWA for operation, provides a dedicated space for departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to rest before their flights. While OWWA also built a lounge at Terminal 1, the NNIC facility is larger and equipped with modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, charging stations, and a buffet-style food service. An information desk is available to assist OFWs with inquiries about customs and traditions in their destination countries.
Beyond serving as a rest area, the lounge fosters a sense of community, allowing new hires to interact with experienced OFWs and gain insights before heading abroad.
Meanwhile, NNIC, which took over NAIA’s management in September 2024, is introducing eight additional shuttle buses to improve connectivity between terminals for all passengers, not just OFWs.
Ramon Ang, president of NNIC and San Miguel Corp. (SMC), emphasized that these enhancements aim to ease congestion while larger-scale modernization projects are underway.
SMC and its partner, Incheon International Airport Corp. of South Korea, have committed ₱170 billion to upgrade NAIA, targeting a passenger capacity increase from 43 million to 62 million annually and an improved flight handling system to accommodate more takeoffs and landings per hour.
