MORE than half a billion pesos of cash that overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) failed to claim from airport authorities, despite their entitlement to a refund in airport terminal fees, is sitting idle, according to the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa).
It was learned that since the international passenger service charge (IPSC) was collected, the Miaa has generated more than P1 billion, and half of the amount (P500 million) remains unclaimed by OFWs.
“No one can take it except the overseas Filipino worker who is the holder of the airline ticket,” explained airport general manager Ed V. Monreal.
The amount represents the passenger terminal fee that OFW recruiters have paid in advance, which the airline carriers have included in the passenger’s ticket.
However, many OFW were unable to refund the cash for varying reasons, chiefly because once employed abroad, they don’t have the time nor the inclination to run after the cash, said Jess Martinez, head of the Miaa’s media affairs office.
All overseas Filipino workers and other special category passengers have five years to collect unrefunded IPSC, the official tag for the terminal fee.
The PSC was first integrated into airline tickets for domestic flights on August 1, 2012; while international PSC integration followed on February 1, 2015.
In March 2017 Monreal announced that terminal fees for OFWs and certain other special category passengers, such as diplomats and athletes, would formally be waived as part of efforts to streamline airport charges that had been debated during the Aquino administration.
The Miaa started collecting an integrated airport terminal fee amounting to P550 in 2014.
However, OFW groups such as the #NoTo550 Coalition opposed the move and cited the Migrant Workers’ Act of 1995 that directs that the fee should be waived upon presenting an overseas employment certificate (OEC).
OFWs, nevertheless, had no choice but to pay for the IPSC as it was already integrated into their plane tickets.
“Passengers can get the refund [of] their terminal fees any day they can, even after five years,” Martinez said.
Under the memorandum of agreement and implementing guidelines for the IPSC Integration Project, air carriers are required to remit their collections to the Miaa based on flown passengers.
Flown passengers mean actual number of passengers who boarded the flight.
For tickets bought online, the OFW must present the OEC to the airline counters for refund. Those who have not brought the OEC with them may proceed to the Miaa administration building from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except holidays, for refund with no expiry date.
“Our OFWs are our modern heroes for helping our country’s economy to achieve robust growth through their remittances,” Monreal said.
Monreal said “OFWs who fail to claim their refund due to lack of time before boarding their aircraft can claim their refund whenever they can or wish to claim, without expiration date or deadline.”
Monreal reiterated that OFWs can claim their refund by presenting the copy of their e-ticket/ boarding pass, and passport with immigration stamp.
The airlines have since already stopped collecting the P550 terminal fee from all legitimate OFWs regardless of whether the ticket is purchased online or from a travel agency either in the Philippines or abroad, said Monreal.
3 comments
Isa akong ofw nag exit ako nung july 12/18 tanong ko sana kung may makukuha pa akong refund
How can i claim online my 2 oec dated 2018?
how can i take my unclaimed oec 2018.