The Philippine government has not ordered mass repatriation yet for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by escalating unrest in the Gulf States and Israel, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said on Monday.
In a Palace briefing, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the tension in the Middle East is not yet at Alert Level 4, which requires mandatory repatriation.
He, however, assured intensified in-country assistance for the affected OFWs as some of them have asked to be repatriated.
“But for the countries in the Gulf and Israel, hindi pa ho tayo humantong sa level ng repatriation, but—mass repatriation, but may mga humihiling na rin halimbawa sa Dubai humiling na kung maari—it’s a live count of course, but kung maari ay sila’y makauwi na kaya’t (But for the countries in the Gulf and Israel, we have not yet reached the level of repatriation but—mass repatriation but there are already requests, for example, in Dubai, requesting if possible—it’s a live count of course, but if possible, they can go home so) we are already also preparing,” Cacdac said.
For now, the DMW, together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Migrant Workers Offices in the Middle East, focuses on providing food, water, transport services and shelter for distressed workers.
He also noted the availability of on-site transport services for those who wish to be transported to safer grounds, including shelters.
Cacdac emphasized the Philippine government’s readiness to assist OFWs despite many challenges in this situation.
He said in Dubai, around 80 to 100 OFWs have so far sought to be repatriated.
He said they were transported first to safer grounds due to many cancelled flights.
“So, may transport assistance, so in-country ang assistance (So, there is transport assistance, so the assistance is in-country),” he said.
He added that the DMW and the OWWA are exploring all possible means, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the host countries, to move people through exit points.
Cacdac said they are also in talks with the Department of National Defense and private companies that can provide land, air and sea options for repatriation.
Meanwhile, he emphasized that Filipinos abroad should strictly follow host-country safety protocols, particularly in areas with active security alerts.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan assured that the government’s 1348 hotline remains operational round-the-clock.
“Mayroon po ang DMW, OWWA na 24/7 operation center po. Ito po ang call center na nagha-handle po ng 1348 hotline (The DMW and OWWA have 24/7 operation center. This is the call center which handles the 1348 hotline),” Caunan said.
As of the latest, she said at least 92 cases have already been handled through the hotline, mostly from families asking for updates and about possible repatriation.
She said OWWA has added personnel and additional communication lines, including WhatsApp numbers, which are widely used in the Middle East, to ensure accessibility for workers overseas.
Caunan said hotlines and country-specific contact details are regularly posted on official embassy and agency social media pages to guide Filipinos seeking assistance.
According to the DFA, there are 2 million OFWs in the Middle East as of 2025. (PNA)