P7B more needed for OFW repatriation amid Middle East conflict — Win Gatchalian

The government needs an additional P7 billion for the repatriation of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) should the conflict in the Middle East worsen, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Sunday.

“Ang computation natin, kung talagang worst comes to worst, ke-kailangangin natin is P13 billion kasi meron pa tayong mga undocumented,” Gatchalian told Super Radyo dzBB.

(In our computation, we need P13 billion to repatriate OFWs, including those who are undocumented, if the situation comes to worst.)

He added that P6 billion has been allotted in the 2026 national budget for repatriation efforts.

“So kung meron na tayong P6 billion, P13 billion ang kailangan, so kulang na lang natin is about P7 billion, so yun yung dapat hanapan,” Gatchalian said.

(If we already have P6 billion and we need P13 billion, we still need to provide P7 billion.)

The Department of Migrant Workers earlier said it needs a supplemental budget to fund the repatriation of Filipinos in the Middle East in a worst-case scenario.

Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said the cost of repatriation per individual, initially estimated at P135,000 to P140,000, may reach up to P150,000 after the conflict escalated.

Last resort

The continuing conflict in the Middle East has also affected the supply of petroleum products worldwide, which may push fuel pump prices next week even higher than earlier projections.

However, Gatchalian said suspending the excise tax must be carefully studied.

“Last resort na ito dahil pag sinuspende natin ang excise tax, dalawang bagay ang mangyayari. Una, nababawasan ang collection ng gobyerno [at] sigurado ako may mababawasan na serbisyo,” Gatchalian said.

(This should be a last resort because if we suspend the excise tax, two things will happen: first, government collections will decline, and I’m certain some services will be reduced.)

“Pangalawa, last resort 'yan dahil ang mas maraming gumagamit ng krudo ay 'yung mga may kaya o mayayaman. [K]aya ko sinasabing last resort 'yan dahil hindi siya equitable. Hindi pantay ang ganitong approach,” he added.

(Second, it should be a last resort because those who consume more fuel are the wealthy. Suspending the excise tax should be a last resort, because it’s not equitable. This approach is not equal.)

If the excise tax were removed, the country would lose about P15 billion a month, or P159 billion a year, on petroleum, the senator said.

Gatchalian also disagreed on suspending the value-added tax (VAT) since it is complicated.

“Ang VAT, mas complicated 'yan dahil mayroong input-output VAT. Kung ako ang tatanungin, 'wag i-suspend ang VAT dahil complicated 'yan. Kapag sinuspinde natin 'yan, mawawala ng input tax ang magsu-supply nung petrolyo,” the senator said.

(VAT is more complicated because it involves input and output VAT. If you ask me, it shouldn’t be suspended because it is complicated. If we suspend it, the suppliers of petroleum will lose their input tax.)

In a separate dzBB interview, Parañaque City Second District Rep. Brian Yamsuan said suspending the excise tax could avoid the domino effect of price increases in basic commodities.  

“Ang sa atin lang, preemptive lang ang iniisip natin kasi nagbabadya na ang pagtaas ng presyo ng langis,” said Yamsuan, who is also House Committee on Transportation vice chairperson.

(We’re only thinking of preemptive measures because an increase in oil prices is already looming.)

“Ang comprehensive approach ko i-reduce natin ang fuel use, i-lower natin ang fuel taxes tapos 'yung fuel subsidy sa affected sectors, maghanda na rin tayo,” he added.

(My comprehensive approach is to reduce the fuel use, lower the fuel taxes, distribute fuel subsidies to the affected sectors, and prepare for any eventualities.)

Yamsuan also said the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law should be amended to respond to the needs of Filipinos.

Under the TRAIN Law, excise taxes on petroleum products are automatically suspended if the average global oil price reaches US$80 per barrel for three consecutive months.

In a statement, Gatchalian urged the Department of Energy to strictly monitor oil companies and retailers for possible profiteering in the expected big-time oil price hike.

DOE earlier said "minimum estimates" for next week's fuel price increases are as follows:

Diesel — P19.00 per liter
Gasoline — P9.00 per liter
Kerosene — P31.00 per liter
—RF, GMA Integrated News