The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) have activated contingency protocols to safeguard overseas Filipino workers from Central Visayas as tensions escalate in the Middle East, with no reported casualties among the region’s deployed workers so far.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Region 7 and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Region 7 announced the activation of regional emergency plans in a press release issued Sunday, March 2. The measures come amid ongoing conflict in the region, including reported attacks in Tehran, Iran, that have prompted flight disruptions and heightened alerts from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
OWWA-7 reported that none of the 33,903 registered OFWs from Central Visayas deployed in affected Middle Eastern countries have been injured or killed, and no requests for emergency assistance related to casualties have been received. The agencies are maintaining constant communication with Migrant Workers Offices (MWO-OWWA) across the Middle East for real-time monitoring of the situation.
A joint OWWA-7 and DMW-7 team has been placed on standby at Mactan-Cebu International Airport to assist any returning or repatriated workers, including those impacted by canceled or delayed flights. Support includes airport reception and profiling, emergency accommodation and meals, and transportation to home provinces in the region.
The DFA has issued varying alert levels for countries in the region:
- Alert Level 4 (Mandatory Repatriation): Iraq, Syria, Iran
- Alert Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation): Lebanon
- Alert Level 2 (Restrictions on non-essential travel and new deployments): Israel, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain
- Alert Level 1 (Precautionary): Jordan
- Normal (Heightened Vigilance): Oman
Saudi Arabia hosts the largest number of Central Visayas OFWs at 14,262, followed by the United Arab Emirates (7,595), Kuwait (4,960) and Qatar (4,886). Smaller numbers are deployed in Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, Israel and other countries.
OFWs are advised to verify flight statuses directly with airlines before heading to airports and to stay informed through official channels. Families in Central Visayas concerned about relatives abroad are encouraged to contact OWWA-7 hotlines for updates and assistance.
The preparations reflect broader national efforts to prioritize OFW safety amid the regional crisis, with similar monitoring and support mechanisms activated in other parts of the Philippines.
