Press Release
February 5, 2015

Nancy seeks investigation into P550 int'l airport terminal fee
IPSC integration an added burden to OFWs

Senator Nancy Binay believes that the implementation of the P550 terminal fee under the International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) scheme is a disservice to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

"This hefty terminal fee will be integrated to airplane tickets. This will require all passengers to pay P550, including our hardworking OFWs who are sacrificing so much in order to improve the lives of their families," lambasted the lady senator.

"I urge my fellow senators to investigate this issue and help out in ensuring that our OFWs be spared this additional burden. They already have enough on their plates, they don't need to worry about airport fees," Binay said.

The lady senator has earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 986 which sought an investigation on the Manila International Airport Authority memorandum circular which integrates P550 on airline tickets of all passengers.

Originally set on October 1, 2014, the IPSC integration was moved to November 1, 2014 after the Pasay Regional Trial Court temporarily stopped the collection of airport fees from OFWs.

The IPSC was integrated by the Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific into airline tickets on February 1.

In their position paper presented to Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya, the #noto550 coalition of OFWs and civil groups said that they have sacrificed so much and neglecting their few benefits was unjust.

Under the Migrant Workers' Act of 1995, OFWs should be exempted from the said fees upon presenting their overseas employment certificate (OEC), issued by the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration.

"Automatic ho na macha-charge ng P550 na terminal fee ang lahat ng pasahero ng international flights, kasama na ang ating mga kababayang OFWs. Ito po ay taliwas sa Migrant Workers' Act of 1995 na nagsasabing exempted ang mga OFWs sa pagbabayad ng airport fee, travel tax at documentary stamp," Binay pointed out.

"Tulungan po sana natin ang ating mga bagong bayani. Huwag na po natin silang mas pahirapan pa dahil sobra na po ang kanilang sakripisyo sa pagkakalayo sa kanilang pamilya para lamang maiahon sila sa hirap," the senator urged.

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