MANILA, Philippines — In a national gesture of gratitude aimed at the country’s “modern-day heroes,” the gates of Manila’s historic Walled City are swinging open for migrant workers and their loved ones. The Department of Tourism (DOT) and its attached agency, the Intramuros Administration, have launched a special homecoming initiative offering overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) free access and guided tours across the district’s premier heritage landmarks.
The week-long celebration, dubbed “Pasyal Pamilya: FREE Guided Tour in Intramuros,” is scheduled to run from May 25 to May 31, 2026.
The initiative is structurally designed to give returning land-based and sea-based migrant workers a meaningful opportunity to reconnect with their roots alongside their immediate family members:
[ PASYAL PAMILYA PROGRAM BENEFITS ]
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[ PREMIER HERITAGE SITES ] [ IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES ]
• 100% free entry into the historic **Fort Santiago**, the colonial • Complimentary guided heritage tours scheduled throughout
military fortress that once held national hero Dr. José Rizal. the week-long block.
• Wave-through access into the state-of-the-art **Centro de • Immersive historical storytelling aimed at fostering a
Turismo Intramuros** museum hub. deep, shared cultural pride across generations.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay emphasized that the campaign aims to evoke a comforting sense of nostalgia for returning workers. “We want to express our gratitude by giving them the time to reconnect with their families and our culture,” Angara-Mathay stated. “We want to evoke the nostalgia of the days when families routinely took the weekend to walk around Luneta Park, bringing back those cherished memories and offering a relaxed, meaningful space to bond right next door in the historic heart of Manila.”
To ensure the processing lines at the gates remain smooth and secure, the Intramuros Administration has set up clear, minimal administrative guidelines for arriving groups:
[Eligible OFW or Migrant Worker Entry] ──► Presents Documentation at the Gate Ticket Booths │ ▼ (The Family Extension Benefit)[Grants 100% Free Admission Pass] ◄── Valid for the Worker PLUS Up to Four (4) Companions
To validate eligibility, visiting workers only need to present two standard pieces of employment documentation:
- A valid Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) or digital equivalent.
- An active membership ID card issued by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA).
By covering the admission costs for up to four accompanying family members or companions, the DOT seeks to remove financial barriers to leisure—encouraging quality family bonding while cultivating a deeper, firsthand appreciation for Philippine history, identity, and resilience within the capital’s historic core.