TENSION IN MIDDLE EAST: OWWA-7 ready to assist OFWs from Central Visayas

Local

AMID rising tensions and instability in parts of the Middle East, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Central Visayas (OWWA-7) reported that 18,919 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) from the region are currently located in conflict-affected countries.

According to OWWA 7’s latest data, the majority of OFWs from Central Visayas are in Kuwait, which hosts 16,849 workers from the region.

Of this number, 9,752 are from Cebu, 3,592 from Bohol, 3,231 from Negros Oriental, and 274 from Siquijor.

Jordan is the next highest destination, with 1,023 OFWs—523 from Cebu, 306 from Bohol, 175 from Negros Oriental, and 19 from Siquijor.

In Lebanon, the agency recorded 633 OFWs from the region: 416 from Cebu, 112 from Bohol, 89 from Negros Oriental, and 16 from Siquijor.

In Israel, 392 OFWs from Central Visayas are currently working. Of these, 194 are from Cebu, 125 from Bohol, 71 from Negros Oriental, and two from Siquijor.

The smallest number of OFWs from the region is in Iran, with only 22 documented workers—13 from Cebu, six from Bohol, one from Negros Oriental, and two from Siquijor.

Despite the creation of Negros Island Region, OWWA-7 still includes OFWs from Negros Oriental and Siquijor in its reports.

OWWA-7 clarified that this figure includes only those OFWs who are documented and registered as active members of the agency.

The number does not account for undocumented Filipinos who may also be living or working in those areas and are not part of the agency’s official database.

The agency also assured the public that it is closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

OWWA-7 said contingency plans are in place should evacuation or emergency assistance be needed.

Families of OFWs were advised to remain calm and to monitor official government announcements.

They also encouraged undocumented workers abroad to register or renew their membership to ensure they receive appropriate support in times of crisis.

As of the latest update, OWWA-7 said no OFWs from Central Visayas have been repatriated from any of the five countries due to the ongoing conflict.

However, the agency confirmed that it received two repatriation requests from OFWs currently in Iran.

The Philippine Embassy in Tehran is coordinating directly with the affected workers to facilitate assistance and potential repatriation.

OWWA-7’s figures were released as several Middle Eastern nations continue to face security threats due to armed conflicts, political instability, and cross-border tensions.

The situation remains fluid in areas such as Israel, southern Lebanon, and parts of the Gulf, where previous escalations have disrupted civilian life and triggered international concern.

The Philippine government maintains contingency protocols for OFWs caught in emergencies abroad, often through coordination among the DMW, DFA, OWWA, and Philippine embassies.

While no government-wide repatriation has been ordered for these five countries, Philippine foreign posts are on standby to assist OFWs in distress, especially those seeking to return home voluntarily due to safety concerns.

OWWA-7 has assured the public that it continues to monitor developments closely and will provide further updates as new information becomes available.(MyTVCebu)