Outbound travelers queue at the NAIA 3 check-in and immigration counters at the on December 22, 2023 as holiday travelers head to various ports in the run-up to Christmas. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Foreign guests who are not allowed entry into the Philippines may now stay in lodging facilities of airlines, airport officials said Thursday.

This comes after news outfits reported that passengers who were barred from coming into the Philippines were stuck at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), sleeping on gang chairs and cardboard boxes.

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They were denied entry for various reasons, including being allegedly involved in crime or placed on the Interpol's watchlist.

In a statement, MIAA said General Manager Eric Ines today met with the Airline Operators Council (AOC) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) to discuss the handling of excluded passengers.

PAL said they will let excluded passengers stay in their lounge, which is still under construction in NAIA Terminal 1.  Passengers of other airlines with existing lounges in Terminals 1 and 3 may be accommodated inside these.

MIAA said these passengers may also stay in their passenger lodging facilities. 

"We provide these facilities primarily for transiting passengers but under our guidelines, excluded passengers are given priority,” Ines noted.

MIAA has a main lodging facility in Terminal 3, at the 2nd level, with an extension near Gate 116.

These rooms have beds, a simple storage space, toilet and bath, a charging station and a simple dining area with a refrigerator and a water station. These facilities can accommodate 33 passengers.

A similar lodging facility is expected to open soon in NAIA Terminal 1.

Meanwhile, the AOC said it will submit to MIAA a proposal on how to address the handling of excluded passengers, who "inevitably" may take time to be flown back to their country of origin.

The proposal will be discussed with the Bureau of Immigration to ensure that no provisions under the Immigration Act will be violated.