OFW groups welcome Senate probe on airport terminal fee integration

OFW groups and advocates on Wednesday threw their support behind Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III's plan to initiate a Senate investigation into the government’s plan to integrate airport terminal fee in airline tickets for international passengers.

In a statement, Kenji Solis, founder of the Pinoy Expat/OFW Blog Awards, Inc. (PEBA) said the Senate inquiry will enable all stakeholders to present their side in an impartial and fair manner.

“A Senate inquiry presents an impartial and fair venue for all stakeholders to be heard,” said Solis, who is also a Filipino community leader in Saudi Arabia

Solis' group has joined several others in urging the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to defer the November 1 implementation of its Memorandum Circular No. 08.  

Under the circular, terminal fees known as international passenger service charge (IPSC) amounting to P550 per passenger will be integrated in all air tickets, subject to remittance to MIAA by international airlines.

Collectively known as the #Noto550 Coalition, the groups said the scheme violates the law that exempts OFWs from paying terminal fee.

“All we are asking is for MIAA to acknowledge and respect the rights granted to OFWs under the Migrant Workers' Act of 1995, and as amended by RA 10022,” Solis said.

He added those rights “include exemption from paying the travel tax, documentary stamps, and airport terminal fees.”

“There is no mention in the law about a process to obtain refunds, or for OFWs to pay now and be exempt later,” Solis said.

Under the MIAA memorandum, OFWs can avail of a refund upon submission of overseas employment certificate (OEC).

PEBA is among 14 OFW groups that have signed a petition filed by OFW Family party-list Rep Roy V. Seneres before Pasay City Regional Trial Court asking for a temporary restraining order against the controversial MIAA circular. —KBK, GMA News

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