Overseas Filipino workers who come home in distress can get food, transportation, shelter, medical aid, and psychosocial support right after clearing Customs.
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who return to the Philippines in distress or in urgent need can get help as soon as they land. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said arriving workers may go directly to the OWWA Airport Arrival Assistance Desk in the arrival area of NAIA Terminals 1 and 3, immediately after Customs.
At the desk, OWWA personnel can assess each worker’s situation and coordinate the help they need. Available support includes food, transportation, temporary shelter, medical assistance, and mental and psychosocial support.
Also Read: OWWA Reviews NAIA T3 OFW Lounge Incident Involving OFW Bound for Romblon
Why Airport Assistance Matters
For many OFWs, the journey home does not end when the plane touches down. Some still need to travel to their home provinces. Others return from distressing or emergency situations abroad and need immediate support.
Arrival can be a difficult moment, especially for workers who come home after losing a job, facing hardship, or leaving a crisis overseas. The arrival desk gives them a clear place to start, so they do not have to figure out their next step alone.
Types of Help Available at the Arrival Desk
OWWA said distressed OFWs and those who need the following can approach the desk:
- Food
- Transportation
- Temporary shelter or accommodation
- Medical assistance
- Mental and psychosocial support
After an assessment, OWWA personnel coordinate the appropriate assistance based on the worker’s needs.
OWWA Airport Assistance by the Numbers
From January to August 2026, OWWA provided various forms of assistance to OFWs in need under its Emergency Repatriation Program:
|
Type of assistance |
Number provided (Jan.–Aug. 2026) |
|---|---|
|
Food assistance |
55,179 |
|
Airport assistance |
41,461 |
|
Shelter or temporary accommodation assistance |
16,164 |
|
Airfare or ticket assistance |
15,092 |
|
Transportation assistance |
13,328 |
|
Mental and psychosocial health assistance |
2,159 |
|
Medical transport or medical assistance |
1,648 |
OWWA noted that a single OFW may receive more than one type of assistance, depending on their needs and the assessment of their case. This means the figures reflect services delivered rather than the number of individual workers helped.
Food assistance was the most frequently provided service during the period, followed by airport assistance. Together, the figures show that support often covers several needs at once, from a meal and a place to stay to a ride or ticket home.
Support That Continues After Landing
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan said the agency’s commitment to OFWs extends beyond their flight home.
“OWWA’s service does not end when you land in the Philippines. For our kababayan coming home from difficult or emergency situations, we want to make sure they have someone to turn to and someone to help them until they safely reach their families,” Caunan said.
Arrival Desk vs. OFW Lounge: Knowing Where to Go
OWWA also stressed the importance of knowing which airport facility to approach, since each serves a different purpose.
- OWWA Airport Arrival Assistance Desk: Located in the arrival area, right after Customs at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3. This is for OFWs who have just arrived and need assistance.
- OFW Lounge: Located in the departure area. This is for departing OFWs and for returning OFWs who have a confirmed onward flight.
Knowing the difference can save time for workers who are tired, worried, or in urgent need after a long trip.
“Whether in the arrival or departure area, OWWA is ready to serve. We share one goal: to make sure OWWA is there for them to turn to and ready to support them at every stage of their journey,” Caunan added.
What Returning OFWs and Their Families Should Know
For OFWs coming home from hardship, the key takeaway is simple: help is available right at the airport. Workers who need food, transportation, shelter, medical care, or emotional support can go straight to the OWWA Airport Arrival Assistance Desk after clearing Customs at NAIA Terminals 1 or 3.
Families expecting a loved one who is returning from a difficult situation abroad may also want to share this information ahead of the flight. Knowing where to go upon arrival can make the first steps back home safer and less stressful.