Senator Erwin Tulfo on Thursday criticized Philippine government agencies in the Middle East after reports surfaced that their hotlines were inaccessible, leaving overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) without assistance amid escalating regional tensions.
Tulfo, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, singled out personnel from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), emphasizing that they must remain reachable to Filipinos seeking help.
“Kayo po ang takbuhan ngayon. Kayo po ang representative ng gobyerno natin. Trabaho niyo ‘yan. Asikasuhin ninyo ang mga kababayan natin. Kailangan nila ng moral support at this very moment,” he said during a press briefing.
The senator cited complaints from OFWs that hotline numbers were not working, noting that the agencies only responded after he personally contacted their heads.
He warned that failing to act during emergencies could erode public trust in government assistance abroad.
“Ngayon kung tatawag sila sa telepono at wala kayo dyan, ano na lang? Papano na lamang? Magtatanong sila, ‘Gusto na namin mag-evacuate.’ (Pero) wala silang makausap. Sino kakausapin?” Tulfo said.
Tulfo reminded officials posted overseas that their responsibilities intensify during crises.
“Kailangang-kailangan kayo ng mga kababayan natin. Gawin ninyo ang trabaho ninyo. Hindi yung magpasarap-sarap lang kayo dyan. Nung walang giyera, nandiyan kayo sa Dubai. Pasyal dito, pasyal doon. May mga allowances. Ngayong giyera na, kasama sa trabaho ninyo ‘yan,” he added.
He also said that officials who fail to fulfill their duties should consider stepping down once tensions in the region subside.