The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced Tuesday that returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for the yuletide season can now meet their loved ones, relatives and well-wishers at nearby malls like Shoe Mart rather than at the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. POEA Administrator Carmelita Dimzon said that Under OWWA's expanded Pamaskong Salubong Program 2009, the agency is offering free shuttle rides for OFWs who want to avoid the heavy traffic at international airports during the holidays. “OWWA welfare officers abroad have sent flyers and email messages to OFWs homecoming in selected international flights to register interest in availing themselves of easy parking conveniences,” Dimzon said. She said that participating OFWs must wear stickers for easy identification by OWWA duty officers at airport terminals that will assist them in handling their baggage. The Manila-bound flights that have been selected are those coming from Taipei (China Airlines, Eva Air and Cebu Pacific); Singapore (Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific); Hongkong (Cathay Pacific, PAL, and Cebu Pacific); Inchon (PAL, Gulf Air, Qatar Airways); Dubai (Emirates); and Kuwait (Kuwait Airways). Dimzon said that during a test-run phase, Shoemart malls with roped off greeting areas for well-wishers and OFWs were included by OWWA in its expanded Pamaskong Salubong Program 2009. These were the Mall of Asia in Pasay City and the SM malls in Clark. The SM malls are providing entertainment and shopping privileges such as discount cards. The Salubong program started on December 18 and will end on Jan. 15, 2010. Officials said they thought of the plan as a Christmas present for the vacationing OFWs.
