Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called on the Philippine government to take immediate and decisive steps to ensure the safety, protection, and repatriation of Filipinos and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East amid escalating tensions and conflict in the region.
Senate Resolution No. 325, filed on Monday, 02 March 2026, emphasized the urgent need to safeguard the welfare of thousands of Filipino workers, their dependents and tourists currently located in affected areas, stressing that their security must be the government’s foremost priority.
The resolution also called on all parties to prioritize the lives of civilians and comply with international humanitarian law.
He also asked the government to adopt interventions to mitigate the resulting economic impacts on the Philippine economy.
Pangilinan, who earlier expressed concern for the welfare of OFWs and Filipinos in the conflict-torn region, urged proper coordination among the Department of Migrant Workers, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, relevant government agencies, recruitment firms, and employers.
He said they must “implement and expand monitoring and welfare measures,” which include a verified list of all Filipino tourists, workers and their families locations and contact information, regular welfare check-ins, mandatory reporting and deployment lists, and updated contingency plans for possible evacuation, temporary shelters, and repatriation pathways.
The senator emphasized that the government must also be ready with its funding and logistics to repatriate the Filipinos from the region.
Amid reports on the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel and other goods prices, Pangilinan urged, in his resolution, the “timely activation and calibrated expansion” of existing targeted fuel assistance programs for vulnerable sectors, such as public transportation drivers and agriculture and fisheries workers.
He added as well that the government may “consider temporary suspension or reduction of fuel excise taxes under clearly defined parameters.”
Senate Resolution No. 325 was adopted on 03 March 2026, with all members of the Senate in support of the resolution.