No more terminal fee for OFWs by April 30

MIAA and 40 airlines signed an agreement ending the terminal fee payment for OFWs starting April 30, 2017.

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will no longer pay the airport terminal fee starting April 30, 2017 as a 'gift' from President Rodrigo Duterte, said Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eddie Monreal and representatives from 40 air carriers signed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Wednesday that will scrap the Passenger Service Charge (PSC).

Under the agreement, OFWs, including new ones, will be exempted from paying the P550 International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) or the P200 Domestic Passenger Service Charge (DPSC), both inclusive of VAT, upon face-to-face purchase of tickets locally and abroad.

Exemptions for online purchases, meanwhile, will start on July 31, 2017.

Transportation Sec. Arthur Tugade was at hand to witness the signing of the MOA, which he said was a government service due to OFWs.

President Rodrigo Duterte supposedly wanted to "gift" the exemption to OFWs as early as December, but could not do so due to the complexities of such an agreement.

"He wanted to be able to give you and gift you a simple token which he feels can mean a lot for you," said Tugade.

Aside from OFWs, also exempted are pilgrims, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) delegates, and others authorized by law and the Office of the President traveling outside the Philippines.

To avail of the exemption, they must present any of the following documents:

Overseas employment certificate (OEC)
Photocopy of valid work visa or permit
Employment contract
Current employment certificate
Company ID, or
Recent pay slip.

MIAA Exemption Certificates will also be honored.

OFWs and other exempt passengers who have already been charged may avail of refunds from air carriers. They may claim refunds at refund counters at all airport terminals until April 29, 2018, after which they must claim them at the MIAA Administration Building.

In his speech, Tugade thanked air carriers for agreeing to the MOA and said the government will do everything to help them grow their business.

"The President says thank you airlines. And if there is anything we can do and the government can do, within the context of good governance and uniform platform... to make your business go, grow, and glow in this country, please remember: I am just a text and phone call away," he said. [via GMA News]