DMW on alert amid Iran unrest, revisits OFW shelters

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it remains on heightened alert over the situation of Filipinos in Iran amid protests and reported communication blackouts, while reviewing OFW shelter operations following reports of the existence of so-called “ghost shelters.”

At the Palace briefing on Monday, DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said that while the Philippines has no record of worker deployment to Iran, the government remains ready to assist Filipino nationals through coordinated efforts with the Philippine Embassy and other agencies.

“Although wala po tayong initial deployment sa bansa ng Iran, nandiyan po iyong whole-of-government approach,” Olalia said.

(Although we have no deployment to Iran, the whole-of-government approach is in place.)

Communication lines in place

Olalia said that despite reports of internet and communication disruptions, the DMW had already established contact mechanisms with Filipinos in Iran before the blackout occurred.

“Before the blackout happened, mayroon na po tayong mga GC, mayroon na po tayong mga contact sa kanila,” he said.

(Before the blackout happened, we already had group chats set up and contacts established.)

He said these channels allow the government to receive updates on the needs of Filipinos in the area despite the instability.

“Nakakakontak po sila sa atin at nasasabi po nila kung ano iyong mga pangangailangan nila,” Olalia added.

(They are able to contact us and inform us of their needs.)

Iran has been gripped by widespread unrest since late December 2025, as protests triggered by a deepening economic crisis escalated into one of the largest anti-government movements in recent years.

Demonstrations initially driven by soaring inflation, a weakening currency, and rising prices of basic goods have spread nationwide, with protesters increasingly voicing broader political grievances against the country’s leadership.

The unrest has been met with a heavy security response and intermittent communication blackouts.

'Ghost shelters’ 

Olalia said the DMW is verifying reports that some OFW shelters abroad, including one in Taiwan, were non-operational despite receiving allocated funds.

He said, however, that the DMW decided to terminate the operations of at least one shelter after determining that it was no longer in use.

“There was this decision of the labor attaché to terminate iyong services ng isang shelter dahil hindi po nagagamit,” Olalia said.

(There was a decision to terminate the services of a shelter because it was not being used.)

Olalia said the DMW is always aiming for the efficient use of public funds and to redirect resources to shelters that are actively serving OFWs.

“We have to be wise in spending… iyong pondo na hindi nagagamit ay puwede natin gamitin sa ibang shelters,” he said.

(We must be wise in spending; funds that are not being used can be redirected to other shelters.)

Focus on 'high-need areas'

Olalia said the DMW’s policy is to regularly assess all OFW shelters worldwide, particularly those located in "high-need" areas.

He noted that most OFW shelters are in the Middle East, where there are larger concentrations of overseas Filipino workers.

“Sa Middle East po usually… we have 19 shelters,” Olalia said.

(Most of our shelters are in the Middle East; we have 19 shelters there.)

The DMW said labor attachés are required to submit regular reports and assessments to ensure that shelters remain operational, properly maintained, and responsive to the needs of Filipinos abroad.—MCG, GMA Integrated News