Naia readies red carpet for OFWs

OFWs. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) coming to the Philippines for the holidays will get a red-carpet welcome and may even win a prize upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa) launched on Tuesday its “Pamaskong Handog  sa OFWs (Christmas Offering for OFWs)” as the government’s way of paying tribute and recognition to the so-called “modern day heroes” of the country.

Under the program, which  began in 1993, OFWs arriving at Naia’s terminals will be segregated and will be led to red-carpet lanes.  They will also be given faster access in the customs, immigration and quarantine counters.

Special gifts, donated by corporate sponsors, also await a lucky OFW whose flights will be picked in a raffle.

Owwa Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said President Aquino will go to Naia sometime before Christmas for a “presidential salubong (welcome)” for OFWs and give more gifts.

“This is the government’s tribute to the heroism of OFWs who come home during Christmastime to be with their families,” she said.

Dimzon, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz and Philippine Overseas Employment Administration chief Hans Leo Cacdac led the launching of the program at Naia Terminal 1.

“Although the Owwa team [at Naia] extends various assistance to OFWs year-round, the ambiance during Christimas time is different since there is an air of festivities waiting for vacationing OFWs,” Baldoz said. Jerome Aning