A Mindanaoan overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Dubai has expressed trust in the capacity of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government to protect the public amid the ongoing security threats from the Middle East conflict.

Earl John Balungay, a Mindanaoan OFW working currently in Dubai’s food industry, said that while he remains cautious, he has no plans yet to return to the Philippines as he is confident in UAE authorities’ security measures.

“Karon hadlok ko pero in terms of security, murag naa koy 100 percent kuan sa government kay kung makakita mo sa data like ang UAE ang pinakadaghan nga ginapadal-an og missiles and drone attacks sa Iran pero na-intercept nila. So, I think mas kusog tawag ana, tiwala sa government nila nga protektahan ang mga tao esp. mga ex pats or either mga residents diria sa bansa nila,” Balungay said.

He said he continues to receive emergency alerts from the UAE government due to threats of missile attacks. They were also advised to follow emergency protocols.

Despite the warnings, daily activities and business operations continue in the city, and residents and OFWs continue reporting for work.

The UAE government issued advisories, including guidance for work-from-home arrangements in companies.

However, Balungay works in the food industry, where operations continue depending on the assessed level of risk.

“Still operating gihapon mi pero case to case basis. For example, we have deliveries in the morning naga-deliver man mi og food pero na suspend in the morning kay lagi delikado pero nagpatuloy gihapon siya gahapon, Tuesday until now nagpadayon gihapon pero naay precautionary measures like for example ginadili na ang usually pagwork sa mga open spaces kay ang mga hinungdan sa incidents sa pagkamatay sa accident kay kana ganing mahulugan og mga debris sa mga missiles like shrapnel,” Balungay said.

Balungay reported challenges in online services such as mobile banking applications due to structural impacts from missile debris.

“So far, in terms of internet, electricity, water wala may problema, naa lang problema sometimes sa application for example mag use mi og mobile banking, or other application. So, mao na for example, gusto nako mu-send og money sa Pilipinas karon but naga ingon ang application nga naay something sa ilahang system,” Balungay said.

According to the local government of Davao City, aside from ensuring the safety of Mindanaoan OFWs in the UAE, concerns about remittances have also been reported through the Davao City OFW Families’ Welfare and Crisis Center hotline by families left behind.

“First jud is ang safety sa ilahang mga family nga naa sa abroad and ang second is ang ilahang mga status diri sa Davao City kay mostly man gud ang ilahang family nga naa sa abroad kay mga breadwinner. So, ang remittance ana. So, kana dira ta musulod sa ilang mga panginahanglan,” Jackilou Bandao of the CSWDO-OFW Families’ Welfare and Crisis Center said.

The local government has pre-positioned support services, including food assistance for families left behind.

The local government added that at least seven OFWs in the Middle East, including three from Davao City, have contacted authorities expressing fear and considering repatriation.

The UAE government continues to ensure public safety and the Dubai Media Office confirmed that air defense systems have successfully intercepted missile attacks.