The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) announced yesterday that arriving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during this Christmas season are now offered the option to meet their families and other greeters at nearby malls rather than at the airport’s congested parking areas. OWWA Administrator Mae Dimzon said under OWWA’s expanded ‘Pamaskong Pasalubong Program 2009’ for OFWs, they are offered free shuttle rides to avoid heavy traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport or Cebu International Airport during holidays.

Dimzon said relatives and greeters will no longer have to wait at those airports because they can now meet the arriving OFWs who avail themselves of the OWWA’s program at the malls.

She also said OWWA welfare officers abroad have sent flyers and e-mail messages to OFWs coming home in selected international flights to register their interest in availing themselves of easy parking conveniences.

She said participating OFWs must wear stickers for easy identification by OWWA duty officers at airport terminals who will assist them in handling their baggage.

Dimzon said the Manila-bound flights 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).

She said during a test-run phase, the OWWA included Shoemart malls in its expanded Pamaskong Salubong program 2009. The SM malls will have roped off greeting areas for greeters and OFWs.

The Mall of Asia in Pasay City and the SM malls in Clark will also provide entertainment and shopping privileges such as discount cards.

The ‘Salubong’ program started last Dec. 18 and will end on Jan. 15, 2010.