3 days ago
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AFTER receiving positive response for the OFW Lounge at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, the Overseas Welfare Administration (OWWA) is going to build more of its kind in other international airports, specifically in Clark Pampanga, Cebu-Mactan and Davao City.
The New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC) constructed the OFW Lounge and turned it over to OWWA, which now operates it. There is another OFW Lounge, this one built by OWWA at Terminal 1. However, the NNIC-built OFW Lounge is larger and more modern between the two.
Completed in September last year, the OFW Lounge has comfortable chairs and tables for departing overseas Filipino workers to rest while they are awaiting flights. It is equipped with Wi-Fi access, mobile phone charging docks, and power outlets. It also serves food, buffet style, for free.
There is an information desk available at all times to answer questions of workers on the customs and traditions in their country of destination.
Here, new hires can hang out and exchange notes with other, more experienced workers and learn from their experience.
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In addition to the OFW Lounge, the NNIC is deploying eight more internal shuttle buses around the clock to serve passenger who are taking connecting flights at other terminals, not only for OFWs but for all passengers,
"NAIA is operating well beyond its capacity, and while major infrastructure upgrades are in progress, expanding our shuttle fleet is an invaluable step to ensure accessibility and convenience [of passengers]," says Ramon Ang, president of NNIC and San Miguel Corp (SMC).
NNIC, a consortium headed by SMC, took over the management of NAIA in September 2024. A major partner is Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC) of South Korea.
SMC and IIAC have committed P170 billion to elevate NAIA to world class standards. The modernization program includes plans to increase passenger capacity from 43 million to 62 million annually. The number of planes landing and taking off will increase from 42 to 48 per hour, all executed in a safe and seamless operation.
