The Philippine government is preparing for the repatriation of OFWs amid the war in the Middle East

MORE than 80 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have requested repatriation due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, the Department of Migrant Labor said on Monday.

Fifty-two Filipinos in Israel also want to return voluntarily.

Immigration Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said that mass deportations are not yet necessary because Alert Level 4 has not been raised except for Syria and Yemen.

“Although the airport in Dubai and the airports are closed, we are willing to provide 80 people who need assistance to restore their needs and temporary shelters,” he told a press conference in Filipino. “At the right time, they will be removed to the land.”

The Middle East is home to more than 2.4 million OFWs who work in hospitals, housing, construction and other sectors. Remittances from these workers remain an important part of the Philippine economy, providing significant foreign exchange earnings.

Air transport remains a major challenge. “We are finding ways to ensure their safe return, but at this stage, air options are not working, especially in the UAE,” said Mr. Cacdac. He added that the government is working with embassies, embassies and private companies to prepare land, sea and air routes for repatriation if the situation worsens.

The UAE hosts the largest number of Filipino workers in the region, with around 400,000 in Dubai alone, and around a million across the country. Mr. Cacdac said the Philippine government is in close contact with the Department of National Defense and other agencies to ensure that military assets, including C-130 transport aircraft, are available for deployment if needed.

For the return of OFWs, the government is preparing assistance for livelihood and rehabilitation. The Department of Trade and Industry will run livelihood programs, while recruitment agencies can help with redeployment opportunities, including international transfers.

The Department of Labor and Employment will provide local employment through Public Employment Service Offices, and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority will provide re-design and re-engineering programs.

Meanwhile, one OFW in Israel was killed after being hit by explosives from explosives. The victim, Mary Ann Velasquez De Vera, 32, a domestic worker from Pangasinan, has not yet been sent home due to flight restrictions, but her family will receive government assistance, said Mr. Cacdac.

The crisis follows coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes on military facilities in Tehran over the weekend, targeting Iran’s alleged nuclear weapons program.

Iran retaliated with missile strikes on countries that host US bases, including Iraq, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Senator Rafael T. Tulfo, chairman of the Senate Migrant Workers Committee, called on the government to extend assistance to unregistered OFWs in the region.

“Whether they are undocumented or not, they should be given the necessary assistance from the government,” he told a news conference. He also mentioned the need to help tourists in need.

The Philippine military is waiting with C-130 transport planes to be evacuated, said Mr. Tulfo.

A senator on Monday filed a resolution urging the Senate to investigate the potential economic and security impact of the US-Iran war.

Senator Ana Theresia Hontiveros-Baraquel called for continued support for repatriated OFWs, highlighting assistance for repatriation to work or business.

He also asked the Ministry of Energy to strengthen measures to ensure the supply of electricity in the country during the increase in oil prices in the world.

“They should also prepare a comprehensive and long-term plan for electricity security because we don’t know how long this will last,” he told a separate press conference.

The situation underscores the dual challenge of the Philippine government: protecting millions of OFWs abroad while mitigating domestic economic risks related to energy and remittances.

Officials are also closely monitoring global developments, including potential supply chain disruptions and price volatility, which could affect both labor mobility and domestic economic stability. – Chloe Mari A. Hufana again Adrian H. Halili