ILOILO City – Business leaders in Iloilo are pressing the national government to immediately roll out protective measures for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as the escalating conflict in the Middle East threatens to drive up fuel prices, disrupt supply chains and destabilize both global and local markets, while more than 1,400 Filipinos seek repatriation from the war zone.
In an official statement issued Tuesday, March 3, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Iloilo (PCCI Iloilo) raised alarm over the widening economic fallout of the hostilities involving Israel, the United States and Iran, warning that local enterprises could bear the brunt of rising operating costs and market uncertainty.
“PCCI Iloilo expresses deep concern over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and its growing impact on the global and local business environment. As an organization representing entrepreneurs and MSMEs in Iloilo, we are particularly bothered by the ripple effects of rising fuel costs, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainty that directly affect our members and the broader business sector,” part of the PCCI Iloilo statement read.
The group also voiced serious concern over the safety of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East, noting that any disruption not only endangers lives but also threatens remittance-dependent families and local economies.
“Their safety and welfare remain paramount. Beyond their personal security, we recognize that many Filipino families and local economies depend on remittances from OFWs, and any disruption has significant social and economic consequences,” stressed PCCI Iloilo.
The business group urged Malacañang and concerned agencies to adopt proactive interventions to soften the blow on vulnerable sectors.
“PCCI Iloilo respectfully calls on the national government to closely monitor the situation and proactively implement measures to cushion the impact on vulnerable sectors, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises.”
The chamber proposed fuel stabilization mechanisms, logistics support, access to affordable financing, and responsive trade and labor assistance programs to protect both businesses and workers from prolonged instability.
“In these uncertain times, we stand in solidarity with our fellow Filipinos here and abroad. We fervently pray for a swift and peaceful resolution to the conflict, and for stability to be restored for the sake of global peace, economic recovery, and the well-being of all nations,” added PCCI Iloilo.
Data from the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) show that over 1.113 million land-based OFWs are deployed in the Middle East. Of these, 1.072 million or 96.4 percent are concentrated in five key destinations closely linked to the regional conflict: United Arab Emirates (397,892); Saudi Arabia (386,699); Qatar (160,890); Kuwait (106,364); and Bahrain (21,129).
Nearly 50,000 more are working in other destinations including Jordan, Oman, Iraq, Palestine, Egypt, Libya and Syria, as well as higher-risk areas in Israel and Iran.
Over the weekend, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration advised OFWs to strictly follow security advisories issued by Philippine embassies and local authorities.
A Filipino caregiver in Israel, Mary Ann Velasquez de Vera of Pangasinan, was killed on Sunday, March 1, during Iran’s counterattack against US-Israel strikes, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed.
As of March 3, President Marcos reported that 1,416 Filipino nationals have formally requested repatriation, including 586 in Dubai, 297 in Israel, 270 in Abu Dhabi, 231 in Bahrain, 22 in Jordan, and 10 in Iran.
“Altogether, that’s 1,416 Filipino nationals who have requested repatriation,” he said.
Marcos described the situation as “very fluid,” citing airport closures, restricted airspace and expanding combat operations that have complicated evacuation efforts.
“The airports are closed. They are all no-fly zones. This is a combat area,” Marcos said.
“So right now, safety first for our people,” he added, explaining that both air and land evacuations carry significant risks amid ongoing missile and drone strikes.
Philippine embassies, labor attachés and defense attachés remain in constant coordination with Filipino communities and host governments as authorities work to secure safe evacuation routes./PN
