Via GMA News Despite opposition from OFWs, MIAA says it’s all systems go for terminal fee integration September 23, 2014 Starting next Wednesday, October 1, passengers going through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport can expect less queuing with the integration of the P550 terminal fee into the price of airline tickets. Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado said the setup will immediately benefit at least seven million passengers who do not have to line up just to pay the terminal fee. It’s all systems GO for the integration. Everything is set, Honrado said, adding this is the MIAAs response to the perennial clamor to integrate.” Honrado said the MIAA also said the scheme will honor all exemptions mandated by law. These are: - Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) - Muslim pilgrims endorsed by the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) - athletes endorsed by the Philippine Sports Commission - others authorized by the Office of the President - children aged two and below Opposition OFWs, however, are opposed to the new setup, saying the process for getting the refund presents extra burden to them. Global OFW Voices, a migrant Filipino group, even created a petition protesting the inclusive P550 service charge and asking the Department of Transportation and Communications to exempt all OFWs from the charge. Dolores Balladares, chairperson of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong, said, With such additional hassle, many OFWs would be forced to forfeit the reimbursement which will be added to government earnings. This is a way of the government to make the OEC (overseas employment certificate) an indispensable document for OFWs in the face of the growing call for its abolition, she said in a statement. Exemption The MIAA said 7,671,643 international departing passengers passed through the country’s premier gateway in 2013. Some 1,990,889 of them were exempted from terminal fees. It added the exemption at the point of sale shall be subject to the presentation of an exemption certificate issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) or the MIAA. All airlines worldwide are to implement the integration simultaneously. The exemption will cover passengers transiting Manila to any destination point. However, the process will go through a transition period and is to be fully implemented by October 2015, when all tickets purchased/issued before October 1, 2014 shall have been flown. Integration will be upon booking or ticket purchase. If no exemption certificate is presented at the time of purchase, the P550 terminal fee will be included in the cost of ticket. Refund Meanwhile, OFWs may seek a refund at the NAIA terminals upon departure, 24/7. Refunding by representative and group refunds may be done at the MIAA Administration building from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Fridays except holidays. Bulk refund will mainly apply greatly to manning associations and recruitment agencies, the employer or foreign principal in most cases, when they pay for the OFWs airfare. A bulk refund may also apply to Muslim Filipinos participating in the annual pilgrimage to Mecca as well as athletes participating in competitions abroad. Exempted passengers comprised 26 percent of the total number of departing passengers in the NAIA in 2013. Of these, 99 percent were OFWs while one percent were pilgrims, national athletes and others authorized by the Office of the President. —Joel Locsin/KBK, GMA News gmanetwork/news/story/380469/pinoyabroad/news/despite-opposition-from-ofws-miaa-says-it-s-all-systems-go-for-terminal-fee-integration MC
Posted on: Tue, 23 Sep 2014 11:58:44 +0000
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