Manila Bulletin! Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) groups are opposing the integration of the P550 terminal fee in the cost of airline tickets being proposed by government. OFW Family Rep. Roy Seneres assailed the plan even as he stressed that OFWs are exempted from payment of terminal fees on international flights as mandated by Republic Act 10022 or the Amended Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995. Seneres said a mere department policy cannot amend the law. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has been contemplating on implementing a new mode of travel by integrating the P550 terminal fee being imposed on all outgoing passengers on international flights. Seneres said the part of the plan is to direct OFWs to refund terminal fees at the airport. He chided this procedure as very confusing. He noted that it is the recruitment agency or employer who pays for the airline ticket and it would create a problem for the OFW who might be forced to shoulder the terminal fee. “OFWs are already required to pay so many fees prior to departure and to impose an additional payment for the terminal fee, even if it can be refunded is an unwelcome development,” said Seneres. Various OFWs organizations have also registered their objection to the DOTC-MIAA plan. Seneres said the OFW Family strongly supports the call of the Pinoy Expats/OFW Blog Awards,Global OFW Voices, Blas Ople Center and Center for Migrant Advocacy for the withdrawal of the DOTC plan. Seneres said OFWs do not enjoy the luxury of time whenever they travel abroad, adding that the new procedure will only add to the stressful travel experiences of migrant workers. “The airline ticketing outlets should instead consider making it an option for those passengers required to pay the terminal fee to pay for it at the point of purchase if they prefer not to line up at the NAIA terminal fee counter,” he said. Seneres said they are willing to discuss the problem with the DOTC and the MIAA.
Posted on: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 10:36:39 +0000
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