Everyday, thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) pass through our airports. Some are heading to work in different parts of the world, while others are returning home to reunite with their families. Amid all the rush and excitement, things can get pretty hectic!
Fortunately, Philippine airports have a special area for our “bagong bayani” or modern-day heroes. Today, there are OFW Lounges in Manila, Cebu, and Davao airports, offering places where OFWs can rest and relax.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1
The OFW Lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 was officially inaugurated on December 1, 2025, the Philippine News Agency reported.
The inauguration was led by none other than First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos, and Ramon Ang, president of the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC). Also present where Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan.
The OFW Lounge serves complimentary food and drinks, while also providing rest areas, charging stations, and secure baggage storage rooms. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Image Credit: Manila International Airport Authority / Facebook
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3
The OFW Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3 was formally opened on July 18, 2024. It is located near Gate 7, according to a Facebook post by OWWA.
Able to accommodate up to 200 passengers, the OFW Lounge offers free food and charging areas. There are also plenty of seats where OFWs can relax comfortably as they wait for their flights.
Image Credit: OWWA Overseas Workers Welfare Administration / Facebook
Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA)
Meanwhile, an OFW Lounge was opened recently at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA). Based on this Facebook post by OWWA, the lounge is designed to serve OFWs from Cebu and other parts of Visayas.
With a seating capacity of 80, the lounge features free food and drinks, comfortable rest areas, charging stations, free Wi-Fi Internet, and assistance desks for various OFW-related concerns. Moreover, it provides OWWA front line services like membership registration and renewal, OWWA e-Card issuance, and other welfare and social protection services.
Notably, the OFW Lounge was established through a collaboration between OWWA, the DMW, and the Aboitiz InfraCapital Cebu Airport Corporation (ACAC).
Image Credit: OWWA Overseas Workers Welfare Administration / Facebook
Davao International Airport
Recently, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) announced the launching of the OFW Lounge at the Davao International Airport.
The new lounge was officially launched on December 23, 2025, led by MinDA Secretary Leo Tereso Magno and DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac. The first OFW Lounge established outside Luzon, the facility offers free food and coffee, comfortable seats, flight announcements, and access to government assistance desks.
According to the DMW, more OFW Lounges are set to open in other airports catering to international routes.
Image Credit: Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) / Facebook
All of these lounges aim to provide accessible, comfortable, and stress-free services for OFWs. Indeed, these facilities serve as a fitting tribute to our modern-day heroes, whose hard work and sacrifices benefit not just their families, but the Philippine economy as a whole.
One of the services available in these lounges is OWWA e-Card issuance. Check out this article for more information about the e-Card and its benefits.