Over 33,000 OFWs from Central Visayas in Middle East under close monitoring

Local

NEARLY 34,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Central Visayas are under close monitoring as tensions escalate in parts of the Middle East.

This has prompted government agencies to activate contingency measures but stop short of ordering mass repatriation.

The Department of Migrant Workers-Central Visayas (DMW-7), in coordination with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA-7), confirmed Tuesday, March 3, that assistance mechanisms are in place for workers affected by the ongoing conflict.

DMW-7 Assistant Regional Director Atty. Rex Tadena said during a MyTV Cebu Openline News Media forum that in-country support is being delivered through Migrant Workers Offices and OWWA posts abroad for real-time coordination.

OWWA-7 reported that 33,903 registered OFWs from Central Visayas are currently deployed across Middle Eastern countries under various crisis alert levels.

As of March 2, the agency has recorded zero casualties and no formal requests for assistance from Region 7 workers.

“We remain in constant communication with our posts abroad for updates on the ground,” OWWA-7 said in a press release.

However, Tadena disclosed that based on national data, around 80 OFWs in Dubai have sought repatriation assistance since hostilities intensified in late February.

“But repatriation as of now cannot yet be done because the airspace of these countries are still closed,” Tadena said during a news forum.

He clarified that DMW-7 has not received confirmed repatriation requests specifically from Central Visayas-based workers as it continues to validate reports.

The Philippine government has not ordered a mass repatriation, pending alert level determinations from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

As of March 2, the DFA has raised the following crisis alert levels:

Level 4 (Mandatory Evacuation): Gaza, Syria, Yemen

Level 3 (Voluntary Repatriation): Iraq, Lebanon

Level 2 (Restriction Phase): Iran, Kurdistan, Israel, West Bank, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar

Level 1 (Precautionary Phase): Jordan

Under Level 4, mandatory evacuation and full government-led repatriation are implemented. Level 3 encourages voluntary return due to serious threats. Level 2 restricts non-essential travel and new deployments, while Level 1 calls for heightened caution.

Tadena said the scale of any repatriation will depend on further developments and official directives.

For OFWs unable to leave their residences due to security risks, in-country support includes provision of food, water and other basic necessities.

Transportation assistance is also available for those needing relocation to safer areas. Temporary accommodations may be arranged in host government shelters or facilities managed by Migrant Workers Offices.

OWWA and DMW are operating a 24/7 hotline to respond to concerns from workers and their families. Tadena noted that several families in Central Visayas have reached out for updates.

“Even through chat messages, you can feel their concern and worry,” he said.

Some workers, he added, remain temporarily confined in hotels or residences while awaiting further developments.

In preparation for possible repatriation or flight disruptions, a joint OWWA-7 and DMW-7 team has been deployed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

The team is prepared to provide reception, documentation, temporary shelter, meals and transportation assistance to returning or stranded OFWs bound for provinces in Central Visayas.

Departing workers have been advised to confirm flight schedules directly with airlines due to potential cancellations or airspace restrictions.

OWWWA-7 Director Reynaldo Jacalan reiterated the availability of the “Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay” program, which provides up to P20,000 in livelihood assistance for distressed or displaced returnees.

“It may not replace their income but it can still help while they wait for future deployment,” Jacalan said.

At the national level, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac earlier said the government is prepared to mobilize public and private resources should large-scale evacuation become necessary, including coordination with the Department of National Defense and private transport providers.

Amid the international developments, Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said the city government is seeking official data on registered Cebu City residents working in affected Gulf countries.

The mayor has requested coordination with the DFA, OWWA and DMW to obtain updated security assessments, repatriation plans and contingency measures.

He also proposed a coordination meeting to align response mechanisms and ensure local reintegration support, including temporary shelter, financial assistance, psychological services and barangay-level monitoring for affected families.

“The City government of Cebu stands ready to work closely with the national government to ensure that our constituents abroad are protected and that their families here at home receive timely support and accurate information,” Archival said.

The city is also preparing for possible economic repercussions, including a spike in fuel prices that could drive up transport fares and commodity costs.

As of writing, authorities continue to monitor developments overseas while urging OFWs and their families to stay in contact with official channels for verified updates.(TGP)