House reviews readiness to protect 2.5M OFWs amid ME conflict

Key government agencies and Philippine diplomatic posts were convened by the House of Representatives of the Philippines on Wednesday to review the country’s preparedness to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as hostilities escalate in parts of the Middle East.

This occurred as Speaker Faustino Dy III earlier reaffirmed the House’s commitment to advancing measures that protect Filipinos amid global crises.

“Ang Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan po ay patuloy na ginagampanan ang mandato nitong pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Kasama po ng aking kapwa-mambabatas at ng iba’t ibang komite, kami po ay walang humpay na magsusulong ng mga priority bills at mga hakbang na makakatulong upang mapagaan ang epekto ng mga pandaigdigang krisis sa ating mga kababayan,” said the Speaker from Isabela.

The House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Maria Rachel Arenas and the House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs led by Bryan Revilla convened the joint briefing, with discussions centered on ensuring government response mechanisms are ready to safeguard Filipinos should conditions in the region worsen.

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of National Defense (DND), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) attended the hearing. Philippine embassies and posts across the Middle East also joined virtually to provide updates from the ground.

Arenas said the joint hearing was convened as the Middle East is “engulfed in an escalating and devastating conflict,” posing a serious humanitarian concern for the Philippines, which has millions of nationals in the region.

“For the Philippines, these hostilities are not mere peripheral events or secondary concerns. They constitute a protracted humanitarian emergency that poses a clear and present danger to our nationals,” Arenas said.

“With 2,500,000 Filipinos in the region, we are not just observers of this war. We are a nation with a deep human stake in its resolution,” she added.

Arenas noted that the government’s response is guided by the directive of Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prioritize the safety of Filipinos in the conflict zone.

Quoting the President, Arenas said: “We are victims of a war that is not of our choosing, but we control how we will protect the Filipino.”

The Pangasinan lawmaker said the briefing aims to ensure government readiness on several fronts, including the possible use of the government’s P2-billion action fund, contingency evacuation corridors by land or sea amid potential airspace restrictions, and welfare support for Filipinos who remain in their host countries while awaiting further advisories.

“If additional resources, policies, or legislative measures are needed to strengthen the protection of our overseas Filipinos, this institution will not hesitate to act,” Arenas assured.

Revilla, for his part, underscored the urgency of ensuring the safety of OFWs who may be caught in the conflict.

“Sa mga sandaling ito, hindi sapat ang milagro—kailangan ang mabilis, malinaw, at kongkretong aksyon mula sa ating pamahalaan,” Revilla said in his opening remarks.

Revilla noted that OFWs—long hailed as modern-day heroes for their contribution to the country’s economy—now need the government’s protection.

“Caught in the midst of artillery crossfire and drone warfare, it is our heroes who now need rescuing,” he said. “Our duty to our OFWs is not only paramount—it is urgent, immediate, and non-negotiable.”

Revilla said the briefing aims to ensure that government efforts remain proactive and decisive.

The lawmaker said “this meeting must not end with merely warm words or comforting assurances. It must conclude with the beginning of accountability and decisive action.”