Raffy Tulfo proposes conversion of airport VIP lounges to hubs for OFWs

Senator Raffy Tulfo on Tuesday questioned the presence of VIP lounges in the country’s airports, saying these should instead be converted to lounges for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

Tulfo made the remark during the hearing of the Senate committee on migrant workers on Senate Bill 2077 or the Balikbayan Hub Act, which seeks the creation of hubs with sleeping quarters, showers, restrooms, and complementary food and beverage for OFWs.

“Alisin na kaya natin ‘yung mga VIP lounge na ‘yan? Sino ba ‘yung mga VIP na dapat uupo doon, pupunta doon? Imbis na mga VIP lounges na ‘yan na ang lalaki, eh bakit hindi na lang natin i-convert sa OFW lounge mga ‘yun?” he said.

(Maybe we should remove those VIP lounges? Who are the VIPs who will sit there and go there? Instead of VIP lounges which are so big, we should convert these to OFWs lounges?)

Tulfo later said the VIP lounges were “unnecessary.”

“Kasi ‘yung mga VIP can afford naman sila kumuha ng Mabuhay Lounge, 'di ba? Can afford naman silang dumating ng late kasi nga VIP naman sila. Kung minsan iniintay pa ng eroplano. Eh, ‘yung mga OFWs natin pumupunta nnag maaga tapos nade-delayed ‘yung flights. Nate-tengga sila dyan sa paligid-ligid,” the senator said.

(Because VIPs can afford to use Mabuhay Lounge. They can afford to arrive late because they are VIPs. Sometimes planes even wait for them. But our OFWs go there early and then their flights are delayed. They end up waiting or loitering in the airports.)

For Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) OIC Senior Assistant General Manuel Gonzales, Tulfo's recommendation was “very positive.”

“I will discuss it with management, sir. Hopefully— talagang maganda po ‘yung inyong recommendation po (your recommendation is really good), Mr. Chair,” he said.

According to Gonzales, the MIAA has begun drafting a memorandum of agreement with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) on the establishment of a hub at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Meanwhile, OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio said they are seeking to establish a lounge at NAIA Terminal 3. He said they allotted P7 million for the renovation.

“Para naman maging at par with the lounges of the other airlines. Of course, this can still be increased if the need arises,” Ignacio said.

“We want the OFWs to experience how VIPs are treated in the lounges of international airlines. Doon po kasi, merong kumpleto— Tuloy-tuloy ang pagkain, may shower, may prayer room… yes, breastfeeding room, meron po (There, it’s complete— There’s always food, a shower, a prayer room… yes, there’s also a breastfeeding room),” he later added.

Meanwhile, Department of Migrant Workers officer in charge Undersecretary Hans Leo Cacdac recommended the inclusion of other OFWs in the bill.

“Isang recommendation din po namin, Mr. Senator, kasi dito po sa bill nakalagay pang active contracts pero meron po kasing OFWs na distressed or na-terminate 'yung contracts so baka pwede sila isama sa saklaw nung bill,” Cacdac said.

(One of our recommendations is, it is stated in the bill that it’s for OFWs with active contracts but some OFWs are distressed or have terminated contracts. Maybe they can also be included.)

He said they were also “willing, able, and ready” to implement the Balikbayan Hub Act once it is enacted into law.—AOL, GMA Integrated News