Mayor Pamintuan (2nd-L) and Vice Mayor Vega-Cabigting (2nd-R) show their VIPinoy card during the opening of the VIPinoy lounge on Wednesday at Marqueemall. Also in photo (L-R) include: Javi Hernandez, assistant vice president of Ayala Malls Group; Engr. Ermie Garon, national awardee Model OFW family; Mark Sablan, general manager of Marquee mall. Photo Courtesy of Angeles CIO
ANGELES CITY – Ayala Malls executives, together with local officials here led by Mayor Ed Pamintuan and Vice Mayor Vicky Vega-Cabigting, formally opened the VIPinoy lounge on Wednesday at the Marquee mall.
The VIPinoy lounge will be an exclusive one-stop hub that offers various services and privileges to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their relatives.
“OFWs could stay here (VIPinoy lounge) while their relatives shop and dine at the mall,” said Aileen Pescador, marketing manager of Marquee mall.
She added that as members of VIPinoy, OFWs can avail of free internet access, exclusive invitation to sale events, workshops and other promotional activities.
The lounge has a priority lane where members could buy cinema tickets. It also has a remittance center where relatives of OFWs could receive money. It has multiple charging stations, comfortable sitting areas and restrooms.
“They (VIPinoy members) can also avail of free overseas calls thru video conferencing in designated booths while they enjoy drinking brewed coffee,” Pescador said.
OFWs can also avail of free consultation on real estate investments, free travel/tour packages advice from Philippine Travel Agencies Association members.
Pescador said that the VIPinoy card is valid in more than 1,000 Ayala malls in the country.
In his speech, Pamintuan lauded Ayala executives for putting up a VIPinoy lounge.
“I am sure our OFWs and their families not only in Angeles but nearby communities in Pampanga who congregate in Marquee will greatly benefit from the services offered through the VIPinoy lounge,” he said.
Pamintuan noted that OFWs remit almost US$20 billion to the country a year.
He added that this is the biggest reason why “we are still afloat, why we survived the worst global economic recession since the 1930s.”
“The steady and huge OFW remittances are also the main driver for steady consumer spending among Filipinos, resulting in the boom of the retail industry, and even the housing and real estate industry,” he said.
“I therefore salute the Ayala group for its focus on our OFWs. You have hit the bulls-eye in your choice of beneficiary in the exercise of your corporate social responsibility.” Pamintuan said.
