ILOILO CITY (PIA) — The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in Western Visayas and the country’s flag carrier the Philippine Airlines (PAL) have teamed up to offer special domestic travel privileges for the region’s Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
In a recent press conference, PAL and OWWA launched the program, highlighting exclusive PAL discounts for active OFWs for flights originating from Iloilo to any destination in the country.
“The OFW market is one of the top market segments that we have in the Philippines. But, at the same time, if you check also with other airlines, there’s no program yet in place, especially for those OFWs travelling domestically,” said PAL Sales regional head Leonard Bryan Sansolis.
Recognizing the invaluable contribution of the so-called “modern day heroes” to their family and the country’s economy, they have worked with OWWA to implement the first domestic flight discount offer for OFWs and the first exclusive promo for OFWs outside of Metro Manila.
The program, PAL Iloilo branch manager Rene G. Aviles said, was initially launched in March of this year and offers discounts for OFWs ranging from five to 10 percent, depending on the rates, for both one-way and round-trip flights and will be available until July 31.
“Ginapangabay ko ang mga kasimanwa ta nga mga OFW nga i-enjoy ninyo ang ini nga discount kay isa ini ka pamaagi sa pag-recognize sang Philippine Airlines sa inyo nga modern day heroes,” Aviles added.
“I urge our OFWs to enjoy this discount because it is the way of Philippine Airlines to recognize you as our modern-day heroes.”
The availability of such discounts is through PAL Iloilo Ticket Office and PAL authorized travel agents across the city and province of Iloilo.
To avail, OFWs are required to provide a copy of their recent Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), Certificate of Employment or Seaman’s Book for seafarers.
Meanwhile OWWA Western Visayas OIC Regional Director James B. Mendiola expressed gratitude to PAL for choosing Iloilo to offer the exclusive discounts for OFWs.
Mendiola added that this offer is very beneficial for around 400,000 OFWs in the region who will be travelling via Iloilo.
To note, the city and province of Iloilo logged the most number of OFWs in the region, with 30,019 departures and 26,018 arrivals at the airport in 2024.
PAL and OWWA are also studying the possibility of extending and expanding the discount program for families of OFWs. (AAL/FRG/PIA6)
