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| The HK OFW eats by the OFW lounge after being reportedly turned away for showing up too early (Facebook screen grab) |
The head of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration says the policy allowing overseas Filipino workers to stay a maximum of six hours at the two OFW lounges at Ninoy Aquino International Airport is meant to ensure everyone gets a fair chance to enjoy the facilities.
Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan made the clarification after an OFW in Hong Kong using the name Ro De Lyn on Facebook said she and her sister were barred from entering the OFW Lounge at Terminal 3 on May 16 because they would be using the facility more than six hours before their scheduled departure.
Ro De Lyn said they decided to leave their province on the night of May 15 and arrived at the airport at 6am, nine hours before their scheduled flight to Hong Kong at 3pm.
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| Basahin ang detalye! |
“Sabi ko sa kapatid ko, tara muna sa OFW lounge at nang makaupo man lang nang maayos at maki charge na din kasi low batt na phone ko…pero hinarang kami at tinanong kung anong oras (ang) flight namin. 3pm po, sagot ko naman, at sabi nila di daw kami pwede pumasok dahil may new rule daw sila na 6 hours before departure ang allowed lang pumasok,”she posted.
(I told my sister, let’s go the OFW lounge first so we can at least sit more comfortably and I can also get my phone charged as its battery was running low…but we were stopped and asked what time our flight was. I said 3pm, and and they said we would not be allowed in because of their new rule that only those leaving within six hours would be allowed to enter).
She said she asked if they could enter and leave after six hours, or once the check-in counters open, but they were refused even if there was hardly anyone inside at the time.
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| OWWA monitors the number of OFWs inside the lounge at any given time |
Administrator Caunan said OWWA fully understands the predicament of OFWs, especially those who live in far-off provinces and need to be at the airport early. But, she said between 4,000 to 6,000 OFWs leave the country each day – far more than the 216 that could be accommodated at the OFW Lounge at Terminal 3, and 140 at Terminal 1, so rules need to be in place to ensure all OFWs get a fair chance to stay there.
Before the policy was first put in place last year, she said there were OFWs who would arrive more than 12 hours before their flights because they had to travel far, or had scheduling restrictions, or for other reasons. There were even those who would arrive one or two days before their flight schedule. Because of these, there were OFWs who needed to use the lounge only for a short period but could not do so because the rest area was full.
“Kaya ipinatutupad ang patakarang ito upang maging patas sa lahat at mas maraming OFW ang mabigyan ng pagkakataong makinabang sa limitadong espasyo ng ating mga lounge at upang matiyak na may lugar na mapagpapahingahan ang mga malapit nang bumiyahe,”said the administrator.
(This policy is being implemented to be fair to all, and so that more OFWs would be given the chance to enjoy the limited space in our lounges, and to ensure those about to leave could have a space to relax in).
“Gayunpaman, kapag may available na espasyo at may mga kababayan tayong nangangailangan ng tulong, sinisikap pa rin nating magbigay ng konsiderasyon hangga’t maaari batay sa sitwasyon.”
(Nevertheless, if space is available and we have compatriots who need help, we would strive to give them as much consideration as possible, given the situation existing at the time).
Despite the space limitations, almost two million OFWs have been accommodated at the lounges in just one year, she added.
OWWA ontinues to explore ways to enhance, expand and improve the facilities so many more OFWs enjoy them, said Caunan, adding that this coming Sunday, a new OFW Lounge will open at Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Meanwhile, Ro De Lyn has been nonchalant in responding to bashers who have mostly accused her of complaining about a perfectly fair rule.
“Pinost ko lang naman po to base sa experience namin at para malaman din po ng mga kagaya naming na manggagaling pa sa probinsiya, at para sa di pa nakakaalam ng new rules sa OFW Lounge,”she said. “Love, love lang po.’”
(I just posted this based on our experience and also to inform those like us who live in the provinces, and also to share information about the new rules at the OFW Lounge. Let’s just love, love, love).
There were, however, others who empathized with her, especially those who also live in far-flung places and head to the airport early to make sure they don’t miss their flights, or risk being fired.
They said it’s not easy traveling for hours, only to be turned away at the OFW lounges where they look forward to catching up on sleep and rest - because they got there too early.
