MANILA — Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joel Villanueva urged the national government on Tuesday, October 13, to prioritize the safety and security of overseas Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia following recent Houthi drone and missile strikes targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Villanueva strongly condemned the consecutive assaults, which have caused casualties and injuries, highlighting that four Filipino workers were among those hurt, with three currently receiving intensive care.
While expressing solidarity with the victims, the senator commended the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration for their swift deployment and ongoing monitoring of the situation.
“We are particularly concerned for the safety and welfare of our fellow Filipinos, four of whom were reportedly injured in the attacks, with three requiring intensive care,” Villanueva said in a statement.
“We stand with the victims and families, and we hope for the swift recovery of the injured Filipinos,” he added.
“Our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) should never face danger alone. We thank the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) for stepping up through their immediate response and continued monitoring,” he further said.
The lawmaker emphasized that emergencies of this magnitude highlight structural gaps in crisis response, pointing to the upcoming financial allocations under the 2027 National Expenditure Program where the DMW and OWWA are slated to receive a combined ₱11 billion.
He stressed that adequate emergency funding, such as the AKSYON and Emergency Response Funds, is vital to providing prompt assistance amid volatile geopolitical landscapes abroad.
“Incidents like this underscore the need for a stronger and more responsive system of assistance for Filipinos caught in emergencies abroad,” Villanueva noted.
“Under the proposed budget in the 2027 NEP, the DMW and OWWA will get a combined amount of ₱11 billion,” he stated.
“This is why we need to ensure that there is enough emergency fund through the AKSYON and Emergency Response Funds (ERF) given the geopolitical realities facing Filipinos overseas, so that services can be provided without delay when they are in danger,” he explained.
Villanueva concluded by calling on relevant agencies to accelerate assistance programs for all affected compatriots in the kingdom.
“Our modern day heroes must never feel alone in times of crisis. They must know that their government will stand by them, protect them and act when their lives are on the line,” he concluded.