OFWs, balikbayans to get discount at Duty Free

MANILA – Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and balikbayans will be entitled to a 10% discount on all regular priced items when they shop Duty Free Philippines Fiestamall on February 1 until March 14, 2020, Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) Chief

Operating Officer (COO) Vicente Pelagio A. Angala announced.

“We at DFPC would like to express our gratitude to our OFWs and balikbayans who have been our major market for the past 32 years,” said Angala.

“In return for the sacrifices they have endured working in other countries to support their families, our Bagong Bayani deserves more benefits aside from their exclusive duty free shopping privilege,” Angala added.

OFWs and balikbayans need to avail or present their Balikbayan Plus Card upon registration along with their passports and any proof of their overseas employment (for OFWs) such as Seaman’s Record Book or OFW Electronic Identification Card.

According to the Republic Act No. 9174, otherwise known as the Balikbayan Law, the term “balikbayan” is a Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year, a Filipino overseas worker, or former Filipino citizen and his or her family who had been naturalized in a foreign country and comes or returns to the Philippines. The said law also states that balikbayans and OFWs are entitled to USD 1,500 purchase limit on top of the USD 1,000 as international traveller plus USD 2,000 worth of livelihood items.

Duty Free Philippines Corporation as the country’s sole operator of the duty-and tax-free merchandising system, is mandated to satisfy the duty-free shopping needs of international travelers including balikbayans and OFWs.

As an attached agency of the Department of Tourism, DFPC contributes its earnings to the development of the country’s tourism infrastructure, programs, and projects.