Senators urge enhanced OFW protection, oil contingency amid Middle East crisis

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and fears of potential oil supply disruption, several senators on Monday urged the government to step up protection for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) while preparing economic safeguards for a possible fuel price spike.

With more than 2.4 million documented OFWs in the region, lawmakers emphasized the twin risks posed by the conflict: the safety of Filipinos abroad and the potential oil shock if tensions affect the Strait of Hormuz, a key global supply route.

Senator Raffy Tulfo said he has been coordinating with concerned agencies and confirmed that Iran, Syria, and Iraq are under Alert Level 4.

“As of 9 am, tumawag uli ako sa DMW (Department of Migrant Workers), nasa alert 4 ang Iran, Syria, Iraq. Dapat meron nang mandatory evacuation,” Tulfo said.

(As of 9 a.m., I called the DMW again. Iran, Syria, and Iraq are under Alert Level 4. There should already be a mandatory evacuation.)

He added that government assistance should cover all affected Filipinos.

“Dapat mabigyan ng tulong documented or not, kasama na mga turista,” he said.
(They should be assisted, whether documented or not, including tourists.)

Tulfo also said that military assets, including C-130 aircraft and naval ships, are on standby in case evacuation is ordered.

Senator Mark Villar called on authorities to ensure all Filipinos in affected areas are safe and accounted for, especially following reports of a Filipina casualty.

“Ang tungkulin natin ngayon ay tiyaking ligtas, protektado, at accounted for ang ating mga kababayan sa Middle East. Mas lalong mabigat ang sitwasyon dahil may naitala na pong pagkamatay ng isang Pilipina, si caregiver Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, na nasawi habang ginagampanan ang kanyang tungkulin,” Villar said.

(Our duty now is to ensure that our fellow Filipinos in the Middle East are safe, protected, and accounted for. The situation is even more serious because there has been a recorded death of a Filipina, caregiver Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, who died while performing her duties.)

He urged the Department of Foreign Affairs and DMW to ensure evacuation and repatriation mechanisms are fully operational should the security situation worsen.

Oil supply fears, economic impact

Beyond security concerns, lawmakers raised alarm over the economic risks if oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted.

Senator Robin Padilla warned that the Philippines could face higher fuel prices and broader economic strain.

“Direkta ring tatamaan ang Pilipinas dito dahil ang magiging resulta ay mas mataas na presyo ng gasolina, pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin, dagdag na singil sa kuryente, paghina ng piso, pagtaas sa presyo ng shipping ng imported goods at mas mabagal na paglago ng ekonomiya,” Padilla said.

(The Philippines will be directly hit because the result will be higher gasoline prices, rising prices of goods, higher electricity charges, a weaker peso, increased shipping costs of imported goods, and slower economic growth.)

He cautioned that oil prices could climb to as high as $120 to $130 per barrel if around 20% of global supply passing through the Strait of Hormuz is affected.

Tulfo likewise urged the government to prepare fuel subsidies for transport workers should prices spike.

“Concerned din ako pagtaas ng langis maapektuhan transport group dapat nakaready gobyerno sa subsidy,” he said.
(I am also concerned about rising oil prices. The transport group will be affected; the government should be ready with subsidies.)

Vigilance, not panic

Senate President Tito Sotto called for vigilance but cautioned against creating unnecessary alarm.

“We should be monitoring it closely… I don’t think we should be too worried… So just close monitoring on the departments involved especially dun sa mga lugar na maraming mga kababayan tayo,” Sotto said.
(We should be monitoring it closely… I don’t think we should be too worried because that creates panic. Just close monitoring of the departments involved, especially in places where many of our fellow Filipinos are.)

Earlier, the Department of National Defense said the Middle East tensions pose no direct threat to the Philippines but assured the public that contingency measures are in place.

Lawmakers maintained, however, that proactive steps are crucial — both to safeguard Filipinos abroad and to shield the local economy from a potential oil-driven shock. —LDF, GMA Integrated News