Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who arrive home in distress or urgent need can get help before they even leave the airport. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said returning workers may go to its Airport Arrival Assistance Desk in the arrival areas of NAIA Terminals 1 and 3. The desk is located right after Customs.
The service gives tired or struggling workers a clear first stop on their way home. It is especially useful for those returning from emergencies abroad or those who still need to travel to their provinces.
What Kind of Help Is Available
OFWs who approach the arrival desk may receive:
- Food for workers who arrive hungry or with little money left
- Transportation to help them reach their next destination
- Temporary shelter for those who cannot continue their trip right away
- Medical assistance, including medical transport when needed
- Mental and psychosocial support for workers coping with stress or difficult experiences
How the Desk Works
OWWA personnel first assess each worker’s situation. They then coordinate the support that best fits the worker’s needs. Depending on the case, one OFW may receive more than one type of help.
This means returning workers do not have to figure out their next steps alone. They can share their concerns with OWWA staff and get guidance on the spot.
From January to August 2026, OWWA’s Emergency Repatriation Program delivered 55,179 food assistance services, 41,461 airport assistance services, and 16,164 shelter or temporary accommodation services. The figures count services provided, not individual workers.
Support Beyond Landing
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan said the agency stays with OFWs even after their flight ends.
“OWWA’s service does not end when you land in the Philippines,” Caunan said. She added that the agency wants workers coming home from hard situations to have someone to turn to until they safely reach their families.
Arrival Desk or OFW Lounge?
OWWA reminded workers to go to the right facility. The Arrival Assistance Desk is for OFWs who have just landed and need help. The OFW Lounge, found in the departure area, is for departing OFWs and returning workers with a confirmed onward flight.
What Families Should Know
Families expecting a loved one who is coming home from a difficult situation can share this information before the flight. A simple reminder to stop at the OWWA desk after Customs can make the first hours back home safer and less stressful.
For OFWs in need, help is waiting the moment they arrive at NAIA Terminals 1 and 3.