'Red carpet' welcome for OFWs sought

MANILA, Philippines - A lawmaker is seeking to provide overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) with special red carpet lanes in airports.

BUHAY party-list Rep. Lito Atienza authored House Resolution 1735 which gives importance and gratitude to the sacrifices of OFWs.

“Now that the Christmas season is here, most of our OFWs will be coming home to spend it with their families while others are coming home for good. It is but fitting that government treats them accordingly with these special red carpet lanes and assisted by specially-designated Immigration and Customs officials to facilitate their arrival without any hassles,” Atienza said.

Atienza said that OFWs should be commended for their contribution to the country's economy.

The lawmaker noted that OFWs sacrifice by working away from their loved ones and enduring long hours of work to earn money to be sent for their families back home.

The resolution provides that red carpet lanes in international airports become a regular way of welcoming OFWs, starting this Christmas.

According to Atienza, OFW remittances amount to around $30 billion every year.

For more proposed measures in the House of Representatives, visit our Bill Tracker.