OFWs leaving the Philippines for their overseas jobs don’t have to pay the 550-peso airport terminal fee after a court declaration.

Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) have lauded the court declaration of the 550-peso airport terminal fee illegal.

“This means that OFWs leaving the Philippines for their overseas jobs don’t have to pay that fee anymore,” said Cenon C. Sagadal Jr., a community leader.

Sagadal said that the ruling was in recognition of the contribution of OFWs to the national economy.

Mike Pacheco, another community leader, said the court decision is a way of recognizing OFWs.

“Their billions of dollars in remittances prop up the economy. The government uses the remittances in importing goods and commodities from other countries.”

He expressed the hope that the “government won’t think of other ways to impose burdens on OFWs who are already helping the country.”

Arman Cruz, president of the Beta Sigma Fraternity, said the decision “warms the cockles of the hearts of all OFWs, not only in the Kingdom, but also all over the world.”

He said: “It shows that the judge knew what the OFWs had been doing, not only for their families, but for the economy as well. It goes without saying that we are happy over the decision.”

 
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