Senate seeks protection, assistance for OFWs in Middle East amid conflict

The Senate has adopted a resolution urging the Philippine government to take immediate and decisive action to safeguard and, when necessary, repatriate Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East amid escalating tensions in the region.

Senate Resolution No. 325, which was later adopted as Resolution No. 41, was approved on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, with the full support of the Senate, according to Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan.

The measure expresses the Senate’s call for the government to promptly implement protection and repatriation measures for OFWs affected by the rising tensions in the Middle East, and to introduce interventions that would cushion the Philippine economy from the conflict’s potential impact.

The resolution also appeals to all parties involved to prioritize civilian lives and comply with international humanitarian law. It further urges the government to adopt measures to mitigate the economic consequences of the conflict on the country.

“They (government) must implement and expand monitoring and welfare measures,” Pangilinan said, explaining that this should include a verified list of Filipino tourists, workers and their families with updated locations and contact information, regular welfare check-ins, mandatory reporting and deployment lists, and contingency plans covering evacuation, temporary shelters, and repatriation pathways.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano expressed support for the resolution but clarified that he did not sign the earlier version due to concerns that an immediate blanket call for repatriation might unintentionally cause anxiety among employers and workers, and disrupt existing diplomatic and labor arrangements.

He added that the government must consider the real-life circumstances faced by Filipino workers and their employers abroad.

To address these concerns, Cayetano proposed an amendment specifying that repatriation should be undertaken only “in necessary situations.” The amendment was read by Pangilinan, who sponsored the resolution.

Cayetano said the amendment sought to align the resolution’s language with the updated alert level system of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), ensuring consistency with the protocols used by Philippine embassies and consulates in assessing security risks and responding to crises.

Drawing from his experience as Secretary of Foreign Affairs from 2017 to 2018, Cayetano stressed that crisis responses involving Filipinos overseas must be guided by the assessments of diplomats and government personnel on the ground, who are directly coordinating with OFWs, their employers, and host governments.

He noted that OFWs in Israel, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) play critical roles in their host economies and in sustaining their families in the Philippines through remittances.

Cayetano also emphasized the need to fully mobilize government resources dedicated to protecting Filipinos abroad during times of crisis, including the Assistance to Nationals (ATN) Fund of the DFA and the AKSYON Fund of the Department of Migrant Workers, which are allocated to support distressed OFWs and Filipinos overseas.

Sen. Paolo “Bam” Aquino IV likewise backed the resolution, citing the risks posed by the expanding scope of armed engagements and airspace closures in the region.

“instability threatens to place Filipino lives and livelihoods at serious risk given the expanding geographic scope of armed engagements and airspace closures that have disrupted travel and daily life.”

“It is incumbent upon the Philippine Government to ensure that mechanisms are in place to monitor, assist, evacuate, and repatriate Filipinos in conflict-affected areas when necessary,” Aquino said.

“The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) should be ready to provide all the necessary support to our returning OFWs,” he also said.

-Paraluman News