SPEAKER of the House Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III has issued a statement expressing serious concern over the escalating situation in Iran and the broader Middle East, emphasizing the safety and welfare of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the region.
“We are closely monitoring developments in Iran and the broader Middle East with serious concern for the safety and welfare of our countrymen in the region, particularly our hardworking overseas Filipino workers,” Speaker Dy stated. He highlighted the importance of OFWs to the Philippines, both as citizens and contributors to the economy, stressing the need to ensure their safety and provide necessary support during this time of need.
Speaker Dy acknowledged and commended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s swift response in directing government agencies to locate Filipinos in the Middle East, take immediate steps to ensure their safety, and activate contingency measures as tensions rise.
He also called on the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers to ensure that contingency plans are fully operational, assistance teams are ready to deploy, and communication lines remain open and responsive at all times.
Speaker Dy urged Filipinos in the affected areas to remain vigilant and adhere to official advisories from the government. “We continue to hope for a peaceful resolution of tensions and firmly reaffirm that the safety and protection of our people will always be our foremost priority,” he concluded.
