The Philippine government is formulating measures to facilitate the repatriation of Filipinos affected by the escalating conflict between Iran and United States-backed Israel in the Middle East.
In a Palace briefing Monday, Department of Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac confirmed that about 80 to 100 Filipinos in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, have requested repatriation, a challenging situation as airspace in parts of the region remains closed.
“There are indeed many challenges in a scenario like this, pero ang mahalaga dito ay iyong kahandaan, and handa naman po tayo. Sa ngayon, halimbawa, I will give this as an example, iyong 80 to 100 Filipinos sa Dubai na humiling ng repatriation, sa ngayon dahil nga hindi posible, so we have transported some of them to safer ground. So, may transport assistance, so in-country assistance,” he said.
Cacdac said the DMW will utilize its P2 billion Aksyon Fund, in addition to Overseas Workers Welfare Administration resources, to support repatriation efforts in coordination with private airlines and shipping companies.
“Mayroon din tayong siyempreng pakikipag-usap in terms of the private sector. Halimbawa nga iyong sinasabi ko kanina na iyong sea and air support that they could provide sa repatriation. So, may mga ganoon tayong discussion sa ngayon, and rest assured, iyong in terms of the budget na nakalaan, ang budget natin, Aksyon Fund alone, is P2 billion,” Cacdac stated.
The Middle East hosts the largest concentration of land-based overseas Filipino workers, totaling 1.113 million as of December 2025, according to the DMW. The United Arab Emirates has the biggest share at 397,892 OFWs, followed by Saudi Arabia with 386,699.
“Mayroon tayong additional funding for the operational expenses ng ating post on top of the P2 billion that could run up to P3 to P4 billion, iyong funding ng ating post. And then, wala pa diyan iyong sa OWWA. So, together, we have enough funds. But having said that, of course, we are coordinated with the Office of the President, with the President, with the Executive Secretary in terms of possible other funding requirements,” he added.
For possible mass evacuation, Cacdac said authorities have identified meeting and transit points, as well as temporary shelters, before repatriates are moved to exit points and flown home from secure airport hubs.
“And from there, we can mobilize them to the exit points, and yes, as I said, the resources are there. Una, the host country resources, shelters, transport systems, halimbawa sa Israel, we know that the Israel Defense Forces are very active and they have done this before, and they are doing it again in terms of transporting people, ensuring that people are safe,” Cacdac explained.
“At this stage, we are ready, we are sending augmentation teams already to these areas, whether it will be possible transit activity, with the possibility na pumasok din mismo sa country involved.
“So, yes. We are ready for such an eventuality, and with the proper resources, the private sector as well as the public sector resources in terms of transport, by sea, by air, or by land,” he said.
Alert Level 2 has been raised in the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Israel and Saudi Arabia, while Lebanon remains under Alert Level 2 with an automatic deployment ban for newly hired OFWs. No alert level has been raised in Oman.
However, Cacdac acknowledged uncertainty over how the situation may unfold.
“But rest assured, we are prepared for such an eventuality,” he said.