Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Overseas Filipino workers can heave a sigh of relief — and instantly save up P550 — as they soon would no longer be charged the amount for airport terminal fee.
This also means OFWs wouldn’t have to go through the tedious process of refunding the fee as it would be automatically waived.
Transportation Secretary Art Tugade said on Wednesday the fee will be waived beginning April 30 for over-the-counter ticket purchases, and on or before July 30 for online purchases.
This developed after 40 major airline companies signed earlier in the day a memorandum of agreement with Philippine transport authorities to to drop the fee when OFWs purchase plane tickets.
The deduction for online purchase will be applied upon submission of documents — either the Overseas Employment Certificate issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), work permit, employment contract, employment certificate, company ID, or a recent pay slip.
OFW advocate Susan Ople said it’s a big help for OFWs.
“Kasi most of the time na nandito sila gusto nila to spend it with the family instead na mag-claim ng refund para sa isang amount, 550 — na by law they are exempted from paying,” she said.
[Translation: OFWs would rather spend time with their family than take time off just to claim the refund.]
Emely Nardo, a domestic worker in Hong Kong, welcomed the move.
“Maganda po yon kasi hindi namin naranasan yon. Maganda yon sa mga baguhan ngayon na may mare-refund sila at least pag dating nila doon sa bansang pupuntahan nila meron silang kahit maliit na halaga.”
[Translation: That would be good especially for those new OFWs, because they would have an extra amount when they reach their countries of employment.]
