LAPU-LAPU CITY – The Mactan-Cebu International
Airport (MCIA) with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers
Welfare Administration (OWWA) and Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation
(AICAC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 26 to officially
launch and open the new Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Lounge and Facilitation
Center at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) Terminal 2, in a major
push to elevate the welfare of the country's "modern-day heroes” --the OFWs.
"This is not just a waiting area with
chairs, it is a space of care, a space of comfort, tangible proof of love. If
OFWs go out to serve the world, their government must serve them first." said
Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Atty. Hans Leo Cacdac.
These facilities are core components of MCIA’s
CEB Balik program, a strategic initiative designed to establish a comprehensive
support system for OFWs right at the airport.
This facility establishes MCIA as the premier
OFW gateway for the Visayas and Mindanao regions, delivering on a
public-private partnership aimed at bringing premium comfort and simplified,
one-stop government services directly to migrant workers.
Designed with the comfort and needs of OFWs in
mind, the new facilities are strategically located to assist OFWs at both ends
of their journey:
The OFW Lounge (Terminal 2 Departures Level
near Gate 16): A dedicated space for departing OFWs waiting for their flights.
It features comfortable seating, charging stations, and refreshments to ensure
a relaxing environment before departure. OFWs can also access OWWA programs and
services on-site, including OFW e-Card printing.
The OFW Facilitation Center (Terminal 2
Arrivals Level near pick-up area): Established in partnership with Cebu
Pacific, this center operates as a one-stop-shop for returning and transiting
OFWs. It allows OFWs to handle essential government transactions, such as the
processing of Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs), right at the airport.
MCIAA General Manager and CEO Julius Neri, Jr.
noted that this project is a testament that when the government and the private
sector work hand-in-hand, so much can be achieved. By centralizing these critical services
needed by OFWs and providing a dedicated space for them, the burdens of their
travel are significantly eased.
Cebu Provincial Administrator Atty. Joseph
Durano, speaking on behalf of governor Pamela Baricuatro, emphasized that the
new facility is more than just a waiting area—it is a tangible recognition of
the immense sacrifices and economic contributions of the country’s
"modern-day heroes."
"Today, we are not simply opening a
lounge; we are opening a space that recognizes the dignity, value, and
contributions of the men and women who leave home in pursuit of a better future
for their loved ones," Durano said during the opening ceremony.
A
Sanctuary of Comfort and Dignity
The newly opened facility is the third
international OFW lounge in the country, building on the success of existing
hubs in Manila that have already served over two million workers. Designed to
mimic premium business-class lounges, the space offers departing and arriving
OFWs comfortable seating, refreshments, charging stations, and a welcoming
environment.
Additionally, a new partnership with SSP Mactan
Cebu will grant the country's 2.7 million active OWWA e-card holders exclusive
dining and retail discounts throughout the airport.
Beyond being a rest area, the facility doubles
as an OFW Facilitation Center to eliminate the need for workers to travel to
regional line agencies before their flights. Staffed by the DMW and the
Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the center provides:
Document Processing: Verification of Overseas
Employment Certificates (OECs), exit clearances, and e-card printing. On-Site Support: Pre-departure briefings,
contract verification, and immediate arrival assistance.
DMW Secretary Cacdac emphasized that the
government's mandate now strictly shields the worker "before departure,
while overseas, and until return."
A Model
of Public-Private Partnership
The center was realized through a seamless
joint initiative among the DMW, OWWA, Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport
Corporation (AICAC), and Cebu Pacific Air. Under the agreement, AICAC provided the prime space in Terminal 2 completely free of charge for five years, while
Cebu Pacific partially financed the construction.
"We witness around 60,000 OFWs walk
through our airport every year. We understand that our kababayans leave pieces
of their hearts to build a better future. By bringing these essential services
directly to Cebu, we are giving back what truly matters most—their precious
time with their families and less lost time in transit,” said Ricia Vinelli
Montejo, General Manager of Aboitiz InfraCapital.
Atty. Maria Cecilia Natividad, Vice President
for Corporate Affairs at Cebu Pacific Air, reiterated the airline's commitment
to making travel stress-free. By bringing these services closer to where OFWs
travel, the centers make the processes simpler and faster. It is a reflection
of what can be achieved when government and the private sector work with a
common purpose, Natividad stated.
Extending
'Cebuano Charm'
Provincial Administrator Atty. Joseph Durano connected the launch
to Cebu’s status as a regional icon of hospitality.
"Through this OFW lounge, we are extending
our distinct Cebuano charm to our modern heroes. Know that Cebu stands with
you," Durano said, adding that the MCIA Board remains heavily committed to
maintaining the hub's standing as a best-in-class airport in the region.
Neri closed by reinforcing the airport’s
long-term allegiance to the sector: "The feeling of dignity and pride that
we give our workers is priceless. You will get 101% support from the
MCIAA."
The Cebu launch is part of a broader directive
by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expand premium OFW dedicated spaces
outside of Luzon, with Davao already operational and developments in Clark
underway. (Photos: MBCNewman)
