MANILA, Philippines – Filipino overseas workers arriving during the height of the Christmas season have the option to meet their welcoming relatives at nearby SM malls instead of slugging it out at congested parking areas of international airports in Manila, Pampanga and Cebu.

Sy-led SM malls, in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), are offering free shuttle rides to OFWs arriving via 3 international gateways: Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, and Cebu International Airport.

OFWs can opt to meet up with their relatives in SM malls--Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM Clark and SM Cebu--to avoid heavy traffic at these airports. Baggage handling is free.
 
OWWA Administrator Carmelita S. Dimzon said welfare officers abroad have sent flyers and e-mail messages to OFWs coming home through these airports to register and avail of the free service dubbed “Pamaskong Salubong Program 2009.”

The Manila-bound flights selected are arriving 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).

The Salubong program started on December 18 and will end on January 15, 2010.