MANILA — The House of Representatives convened key government agencies and Philippine diplomatic posts to review the country’s preparedness to safeguard overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as hostilities escalate in parts of the Middle East.

Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III said the House remains committed to advancing measures that protect Filipinos amid global crises.

“Ang Kapulungan ng mga Kinatawan po ay patuloy na ginagampanan ang mandato nitong pangalagaan ang kapakanan ng sambayanang Pilipino. Kasama po ng aking kapwa-mambabatas at ng iba’t ibang komite, kami po ay walang humpay na magsusulong ng mga priority bills at mga hakbang na makakatulong upang mapagaan ang epekto ng mga pandaigdigang krisis sa ating mga kababayan,” Dy said.
(The House continues to fulfill its mandate to protect the welfare of the Filipino people. Together with my fellow lawmakers and various committees, we will tirelessly push for priority bills and measures that help mitigate the effects of global crises on our citizens.)

The joint briefing was led by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Rep. Maria Rachel Arenas (Pangasinan) and the Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs led by Rep. Bryan Revilla (Agimat Party-list). Discussions focused on ensuring government response mechanisms are ready should conditions in the region worsen.

Officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of National Defense (DND), and Department of Budget and Management (DBM) attended the hearing. Philippine embassies and posts across the Middle East also joined virtually to provide updates from the ground.

Arenas said the briefing was convened amid an “escalating and devastating conflict,” posing a serious humanitarian concern for the Philippines, which has 2.5 million nationals in the region.

“For the Philippines, these hostilities are not mere peripheral events or secondary concerns. They constitute a protracted humanitarian emergency that poses a clear and present danger to our nationals,” Arenas said.

Quoting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Arenas said, “We are victims of a war that is not of our choosing, but we control how we will protect the Filipino.” She added that the briefing aims to ensure readiness on multiple fronts, including the use of the government’s P2-billion action fund, contingency evacuation corridors, and welfare support for Filipinos remaining in host countries.

Revilla underscored the urgency of safeguarding OFWs caught in the conflict.

“Sa mga sandaling ito, hindi sapat ang milagro—kailangan ang mabilis, malinaw, at kongkretong aksyon mula sa ating pamahalaan,” he said.
(At this moment, miracles are not enough—we need fast, clear, and concrete action from our government.)

He added: “Caught in the midst of artillery crossfire and drone warfare, it is our heroes who now need rescuing. Our duty to our OFWs is not only paramount—it is urgent, immediate, and non-negotiable.”

Revilla stressed that the briefing should lead to decisive action, not just statements.

“This meeting must not end with merely warm words or comforting assurances. It must conclude with the beginning of accountability and decisive action,” he said.