A LOUNGE dedicated to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) opened on Tuesday at the Davao International Airport (DIA).
In a statement, Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) Secretary Leo Tereso Magno recognized the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) for the project, billed as the first outside Metro Manila.
“Hindi lamang imprastraktura, hindi lamang edukasyon at agrikultura ang dapat pag-usapan. Dapat pag-usapan ang tao, lalo na ang ating mga OFWs (We don’t only talk about infrastructure, education, and agriculture. We also need to talk about people, especially the OFWs),” Magno said during the launch of the OFW Airport Lounge at the DIA on Tuesday, Dec. 23.2025.
The project is expected to benefit more than 300,000 Mindanaoan OFWs working abroad to continuously support their families.
“Matagal na silang bayani sa laki ng tulong na ginagawa nila sa kanilang mga pamilya at pamayanan, dapat lamang na bigyan sila ng importansya (They are seasoned heroes for their significant contribution to their families and the nation. They should be prioritized),” he added.
The OFW Airport Lounge in Davao is modeled after a business-class sitting room, offering amenities such as free food and coffee, flight announcements, and access to government assistance desks.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the lounge is designed to provide accessible services for migrant workers.
“The OFW experience is very bittersweet, a mix of joy and sorrow. Something as simple yet meaningful as a place where they can stay already tells them that the government supports them,” Cacdac said, noting the project will somehow ease the emotional burden OFWs carry as they leave their families to go abroad.
DMW reported that a similar facility is eyed in Cebu and other cities with international routes.
