OWWA Responds to Terminal 3 OFW Lounge Incident Involving Returning OFW from Dubai to Romblon

The agency says its review of the incident is ongoing and that it will release verified facts once it is complete.

The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) has released an official statement on an incident involving an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) at the OFW Lounge in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3. In the statement, posted on its official Facebook page, the agency acknowledged the situation of the OFW, who had just arrived from Dubai.

“OWWA understands the fatigue and needs of our fellow Filipino who arrived from Dubai,” the agency said (translated from Filipino).

Also Read: Why OFWs Are Limited to 6 Hours at NAIA Lounges

What OWWA Says Happened

OWWA cited CCTV footage, incident reports, and statements from personnel on duty. Based on these, the agency said the OFW was able to enter the OFW Lounge. Lounge personnel then helped the OFW with registration and baggage.

According to OWWA, the OFW did not have a connecting domestic flight. The traveler planned to continue home to Romblon by land and sea.

Even so, OWWA said the OFW was allowed inside the lounge as a form of assistance. The agency added that the OFW was told they could get food and drinks while there.

Who the OFW Airport Lounge Is For

OWWA also used the statement to clarify what the lounge is for, a point that may help many returning workers and their families.

The agency said the OFW Airport Lounge is in the departure area. It mainly serves OFWs who have a departing or connecting flight.

For OFWs who arrive in distress, OWWA pointed to a separate service. The OWWA Airport Arrival Assistance Desk is located in the arrival area, after Customs, at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3. Arriving OFWs can go to this desk if they need:

• Arrival assistance
• Transportation
• Food
• Temporary accommodation

This difference matters for travelers like the OFW in this case, who arrive without an onward flight and still face a long trip home. Knowing which desk to approach can save time and stress after a long journey.

Review Still Ongoing

OWWA said it is still completing its review of the incident. The agency is checking CCTV footage, service records, and statements from personnel and witnesses to establish the full sequence of events.

The agency also committed to correcting any lapses its review may find.

“If there were any shortcomings, we will fix them. And once the review is complete, we will release the verified facts properly, fairly, and with respect for everyone,” OWWA said (translated from Filipino).

The agency has not yet announced when the review will be completed.

Below is the full statement from OWWA about the incident posted on their official FB page:

𝐏𝐀𝐇𝐀𝐘𝐀𝐆 𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐖𝐖𝐀

𝐇𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐥 𝐬𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐚 𝐎𝐅𝐖 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐀 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝟑

Nauunawaan ng OWWA ang pagod at pangangailangan ng ating kababayang dumating mula Dubai.

Batay sa CCTV footage, incident reports, at statements ng mga personnel na naroon, nakapasok ang concerned OFW sa OFW Lounge at na-assist ng ating personnel sa kanyang registration at mga bagahe. Wala siyang connecting domestic flight dahil magpapatuloy siya patungong Romblon sa pamamagitan ng land and sea travel, ngunit bilang tulong ay pinayagan pa rin siyang makapasok sa lounge at inabisuhang maaari siyang kumuha ng pagkain at inumin.

𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐚 𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐅𝐖 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐲 𝐧𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐬𝐚 𝐦𝐠𝐚 𝐎𝐅𝐖 𝐧𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐦𝐠𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐅𝐖 𝐧𝐚 𝐝𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲𝐨𝐧, 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐤𝐚𝐢𝐧, 𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐖𝐖𝐀 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐤 𝐬𝐚 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐠𝐤𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐬 𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐬𝐚 𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐀 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝟏 𝐚𝐭 𝟑.

Patuloy naming kinukumpleto ang pagsusuri sa pamamagitan ng CCTV, service records, at statements ng mga personnel at witnesses upang malinaw ang buong sequence of events.

Kung may pagkukulang, aayusin natin. At kapag nakumpleto ang pagsusuri, ilalabas natin ang verified facts nang maayos, patas, at may respeto sa lahat.