The Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), in collaboration with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Cebu Pacific, is set to enhance its support for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through the establishment of a dedicated OFW Facilitation Center at Terminal 2.
The new facility will streamline essential documentation processes, including the issuance of Overseas Employment Certificates (OECs), to provide a more seamless departure and arrival experience for OFWs.
Construction of the center is scheduled to begin this March, with operations expected before the end of the second quarter of 2025.
“As a key international gateway, MCIA recognizes the critical role OFWs play in the Philippine economy. With 35% of OFWs coming from the Cebu catchment and a significant portion traveling to and from different areas of the world particularly the Middle East, we see this initiative as an important step in making MCIA their preferred transit point,” said Athanasios Titonis, Chief Executive Officer of Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC).
The OFW Facilitation Center is part of the Ceb-Balik Project, an initiative aimed at boosting connectivity and ease of travel for returning OFWs. MCIA’s role in this project is to:
- Provide an OFW assistance kiosk at the airport to guide workers who may need support in processing travel documents.
- Encourage OFW recruitment agencies to establish Cebu-based operations, allowing new workers to complete pre departure formalities without traveling to Manila.
- Expand direct flights between Cebu and the Middle East, catering to the majority of returning workers.
With 28% of total Middle East arrivals visiting the Visayas in 2023—and pre-pandemic levels averaging 47%— MCIA sees an opportunity to further solidify Cebu as a strategic hub for OFW travel.
Additionally, enhanced connectivity via Cebu is expected to drive further traffic growth, including tourism from international visitors linking through the airport.
According to Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Julius G. Neri Jr., “We are committed to making MCIA a hub not only for travelers but also for the hardworking OFWs who contribute immensely to our nation’s progress. This initiative is a step towards a more accessible, efficient, and welcoming travel experience for them”.
MCIA remains dedicated to collaborating with government agencies and airline partners to enhance services for OFWs, reinforcing its position as a vital link between the Philippines and the global workforce.
