President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed telecommunications companies to provide free communication services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families as tensions escalate in the Middle East.
In a social media post on Monday, Marcos announced that telecom providers have activated a “libreng tawag” program to help Filipinos stay connected with their loved ones during the crisis. The initiative covers OFWs in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Free call stations will also be set up in selected business centers across the Philippines, enabling families to reach relatives abroad without added costs.
“Through these efforts, we want to ensure that our kababayans will remain connected with their families, offer comfort to one another, and confirm their safety without additional financial burden,” Marcos said.
The program comes as the government closely monitors developments in the Middle East, where military operations and restricted airspace have complicated evacuation and repatriation efforts.
Earlier, Marcos advised Filipinos in the region to remain alert and seek shelter when necessary.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers are coordinating with host governments and preparing contingency measures, including possible repatriation if the situation worsens.