Not every traveling overseas Filipino worker (OFW) is expected to get his or her terminal fee refund at Ninoy Aquino International Airport so a senator has queried on how the amount is being managed.
Senator Cynthia Villar estimates that around P500 million are being collected a year from terminal fees paid by OFWs.
Last February, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) implemented the International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) in all air tickets for all international passengers. This includes Filipinos working abroad who are exempt from paying the terminal fee. While a refund mechanism is in place at the airport, it is not expected every traveling OFW will be able to avail it.
“Pera yun ng OFW. Di nila pwedeng galawin yun unless manahimik tayo, wag nating pakialaman. Yun nga sagot nila, di daw nila kayang i-monitor,” Villar said as she stressed the importance of determining how much is being collected and how much has been refunded to OFWs.
“Nag implement sila nung February na P550 na supposed to be exempted ang mga OFW sa airport tax, kino-kolekta nila at nire-refund nila para mawala daw ang linya sa airport,” Villar added. OFWs, under the Migrant Workers’ Act of 1995, are exempt from paying terminal fees and airport travel tax upon presentation of Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.