Dedicated facilities and accessible assistance for OFWs officially launched at Mactan-Cebu International Airport as the Department of Migrant Workers, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation sign a Memorandum of Understanding
Recognizing the vital contributions of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) to the nation, Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) opens its dedicated OFW Lounge and Facilitation Center today, June 26, 2026. Launched in partnership with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and Cebu Pacific, the new facilities aim to provide a more comfortable and seamless travel experience for millions of Filipinos working abroad.
These facilities are core components of MCIA’s CEB Balik program, a strategic initiative designed to establish a comprehensive support system for OFWs right at the airport.
Dedicated Spaces for Global Filipinos
Designed with the comfort and needs of OFWs in mind, the new facilities are strategically located to assist OFWs at both ends of their journey:
- The OFW Lounge (Terminal 2 Departures Level near Gate 16): A dedicated space for departing OFWs waiting for their flights. It features comfortable seating, charging stations, and refreshments to ensure a relaxing environment before departure. OFWs can also access OWWA programs and services on-site, including OFW e-Card printing.
- The OFW Facilitation Center (Terminal 2 Arrivals Level near pick-up area): Established in partnership with Cebu Pacific, this center operates as a one-stop-shop for returning and transiting OFWs. It allows OFWs to handle essential government transactions, such as the processing of Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs), right at the airport.
A Unified Community Effort
The inauguration brought together national and local leaders united in their support for OFW welfare. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by DMW Secretary Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac and OWWA Administrator Atty. Patricia Yvonne Caunan. They were joined by Cebu Provincial Administrator Atty. Joseph Durano, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ma. Cynthia King-Chan, Cebu City Chief of Staff Kenneth Siasar, Mandaue City Councilor Atty. Carlo Fortuna, MCIAA General Manager and CEO Julius G. Neri, Jr., Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC) General Manager Ricia Vinelli Montejo, and Cebu Pacific Vice President for Corporate Affairs Atty. Maria Cecilia Natividad.
“We witness the profound dedication and invaluable contributions of our OFWs to their families and our country. Through our CEBBalik program, the opening of these facilities demonstrates our commitment to providing compassionate service and a comfortable experience here at Mactan-Cebu International Airport,” said Ricia Vinelli Montejo, ACAC General Manager. “We are more than just an airport; we are their gateway to new opportunities and their first embrace when they return. Our goal is to ensure that our services consistently reflect that care and elevate their airport experience.”
MCIAA General Manager and CEO Julius G. Neri, Jr., expresses his gratitude to the different partners who made this initiative possible, recognizing the immense contributions of the OFWs to our country.
“This project is a testament to what we can achieve when the government and the private sector work hand-in-hand. By centralizing these critical services needed by OFWs and providing a dedicated space for them, we significantly ease the burden of their travel. We extend our deepest gratitude to the DMW, OWWA, our local government leaders, ACAC and Cebu Pacific Air for helping us make this vision a reality,” said MCIAA General Manager and CEO Julius G. Neri, Jr.
Focusing on providing efficient and streamlined services to OFWs, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac emphasizes on bringing dignity to the journey of every OFW as well as the success of public-private partnerships.
“At the heart of this milestone is a fundamental goal: bringing dignity to the journey of every OFW,” stated DMW Secretary Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac. “Every Filipino who leaves our shores to work abroad is an ambassador of our nation’s talent, resilience, and character. They deserve nothing less than a dignified departure and a dignified arrival. They should never feel like second-class citizens in their own land. This initiative is fully aligned with the directive of our President, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. whose vision is that every Filipino worker must feel the active, supportive presence of their government, not just in policy and papers, but in real, felt, and meaningful service. Today, right here in Cebu, we show that the DMW is deeply committed to bringing that government presence closer to our people.”
OWWA Administrator Atty. Patricia Yvonne Caunan brings value to the welfare of every OFW, the comfort of the lounge, and giving OFWs more time with their families.
OWWA Administrator Atty. Patricia Yvonne Caunan echoed this sentiment: “Our OFWs work tirelessly across the globe, carrying the hopes of their families and our country. They absolutely deserve a dedicated space where they can feel our immense gratitude and care. The opening of this beautiful lounge and the integration of crucial OWWA services here at MCIA means less time worrying about administrative tasks and more time resting or spending precious final moments with their loved ones.”
As a key partner in delivering the facilities successfully, Cebu Pacific Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer Candice Iyog highlights the importance of ensuring efficient services to address the different needs of OFWs.
“We recognize the invaluable contributions of overseas Filipino workers to our nation and remain
committed to supporting their journey every step of the way. The opening of this facility reflects our ongoing efforts to provide more accessible and responsive services that address the unique needs of OFWs and their families,” said Iyog.
With the opening of these facilities, MCIA continues its ongoing efforts to make airport experience easier, more comfortable, and more supportive for every overseas Filipino worker.
