House to assess OFW safety amid Middle East attacks

The House of Representatives will conduct a congressional briefing on the safety of overseas Filipino workers amid the continuous attacks in the Middle East, Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander Marcos said Sunday.

In a statement, Marcos said Speaker Faustino Dy III has asked the House Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Overseas Workers Affairs to conduct a joint briefing on Wednesday, March 11.

This is to review the situation and the government’s preparedness to assist affected OFWs.

“The House wants to receive a full briefing on the situation on the ground and on the readiness of our agencies to assist our nationals should conditions require government intervention,” Marcos said.

Concerned government agencies, such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), will be invited to share the number of affected OFWs, current security conditions, and contingency plans.

“At a time of uncertainty in the region, it is important that government remains fully prepared to protect their welfare and provide assistance when needed,” Marcos said.

On Saturday, DMW said 81 stranded OFWs have returned to the country following the exchange of air strikes between the US, Israel and Iran in the region.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News