I am urging the incoming administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to look into the merits of the following proposed law that would surely benefit the millions of Overseas Filipino Workers.
Newly-elected ACTS-OFW Partylist Rep. John Bertiz III urged incoming Duterte administration to rescind an order integrating the P550 airport terminal fee in the airline tickets for international passengers, including overseas Filipino workers.
Bertiz said the order, issued by Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) under Memorandum Circular No. 8 that took effect last Feb. 1, continues to violate a law that grants exemptions for OFWs from paying airport terminal fee, among others.
“We appeal to incoming President (Rodrigo) Duterte and his Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to immediately revoke MIAA-MC No. 8 that reduces the exemptions granted by law to our fellow OFWs,” he said.
“This directive not only removes the benefits granted by law to millions of OFWs, notably their exemption from payment of airport terminal fee, but also the very spirit of the law and the intention of our lawmakers,” he added.
The neophyte lawmaker was referring to Section 35 of Republic Act 8042, as amended by RA 10022, also known as the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipino Act, that exempts OFWs from paying travel tax, documentary stamp and airport terminal fee.
Under the leadership of MIAA General Manager Angel Honrado, MC No. 8 integrates the payment of PhP550 airport terminal fee in airline ticket for all international passengers, including OFWs.
MIAA, however, acknowledges OFWs’ exemption by providing a scheme where OFWs can refund integrated terminal fee upon showing of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA).
Bertiz expressed intention to introduce a resolution at the Lower House to inquire in aid of legislation into the implementation of MC No. 8, also known as the International Passengers Service Charge (IPSC) integration.
“Since it was implemented last February, it is but in order now that we conduct an immediate audit of how much funds were actually collected, how much were not refunded by our OFWs and where would these funds go,” Bertiz said.
“Whoever sits at the helm of MIAA, we hope that the next General Manager would put into serious review and possibly, rescind MC No. 8 because it blatantly disregards the exemptions granted by a law for our OFWs,” he added.
Bertiz noted that a mere circular even if a refund scheme has been set in place could not supersede and much less amend a clear provision of the law that has been in existence for the past 20 years. GLOCAL PINOY/FJ MAGLALANG
