MANILA—An employee of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was lauded for returning an envelope containing a "significant amount" of US dollar bills he found at a currency exchange counter.

Jeffrey Almoguerra, a 30-year-old janitor, immediately reported the envelope to security personnel, according to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

Authorities have yet to disclose the amount contained in the envelope as the owner has yet to claim it, PIA said.

Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal said he has ordered to include Almoguerra among those who will receive an award at MIAA's February flag-raising ceremony.

“We do this on purpose because we want everyone in the MIAA organization to emulate simple yet noble deeds such as what Mr. Almoguerra exhibited," Monreal said.

"I urge all our service contractors to also recognize their employees for their simple achievements and take care of them because they set good examples. We want goodness and honesty to become viral in NAIA."