Senator Christopher “Bong” Go voiced concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East during a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on Friday, March 6, stressing the need to protect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), ensure responsive government assistance abroad, and prepare economic safeguards should the conflict disrupt global oil supply.
The senator began by expressing concern over the situation in the region and called for de-escalation of hostilities, noting the significance of the ongoing Holy Month of Ramadan.
“Unang-una, nababahala tayo sa tumitinding tensyon at kaguluhan ngayon sa Middle East,” Go said during the hearing.
“We pray for the immediate de-escalation of the conflict. The world cannot afford another war, especially during this Holy Month of Ramadan—a sacred time for peace, sacrifice, and contemplation,” he added.
Likewise, the government expressed condolences to the family of a Filipino casualty in Israel amid the ongoing tensions.
Highlighting the presence of a large Filipino population in the Middle East, the senator underscored the responsibility of government agencies to safeguard their welfare and security.
“Mr. Chair, it was reported that the Middle East hosts around 2 million Filipinos. Kaya naman po dapat siguruhin ng gobyerno ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga Pilipino doon,” Go stated.
“Nananawagan po ako sa mga kaukulang ahensya ng pamahalaan na bantayang maigi ang sitwasyon. Kung kinakailangang ilikas at i-repatriate ang ating mga kababayan, gawin natin ito sa ligtas at tamang pagkakataon,” he added.
The senator then raised concerns over reports that some Filipinos abroad were unable to reach Philippine government hotlines and assistance channels during the crisis. He cited a call for help from a Filipino in Bahrain that he saw reported earlier.
“Ang pakiusap ko po sa inyo, lalong-lalo na during Commission on Appointments, sa confirmation, sa lahat po ng mga nandyan sa DFA, at sa ibang ahensya, dapat po’y bukas ang ating opisina para sa ating mga kababayan,” he continued.
While acknowledging the risks faced by officials assigned abroad, Go stressed that communication lines must remain operational for Filipinos seeking assistance.
“Naintindihan ko naman po na hirap rin po ang ating mga government officials na nandodoon abroad dahil takot rin po sila sa kanilang kaligtasan, pero yung walang sumasagot, yung hotline walang sumasagot, at hindi nila alam saan pupunta, hindi nila alam saan yung shelter, sana po’y magkaroon kayo ng maayos na kordinasyon na bukas po ang inyong opisina,” he said.
He reiterated his long-standing request that government offices serving Filipinos abroad maintain round-the-clock operations in emergencies.
“Yan naman po ang pakiusap ko sa inyo noon pa. 24/7 bukas po ang inyong opisina kung may mga emergency cases po na katulad po nito, para po magkaroon rin ng peace of mind ang ating mga kababayan. Hindi lang po sila na nandoon, kungdi pati yung pamilya nila na naiwan dito, magkaroon rin po ng peace of mind,” Go explained.
“Kaya bukas po dapat ang inyong linya at may open communication ang mga overseas Filipinos,” he continued.
The senator also underscored the scale of overseas Filipino migration and the need to ensure that support mechanisms are in place for them.
“Tandaan natin, more than 10 million migrant workers, 10% po yan ng buong population ng buong Pilipinas, nandodoon nakakalat po sa buong mundo. Kaya pakiusap ko lang po sa inyo, once and for all, sana po’y ayusin ninyo lang ang Sistema na meron silang matakbuhan,” Go said.
He also acknowledged the role of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), a department established through legislation during the 18th Congress.
“Sa lahat po ng under ng DMW, ito po’y isang departamento na pinaglaban po natin noon, noong 18th Congress na maisabatas. Finally mayroon ng departamento na para talaga sa mga migrant workers, dahil wala silang sariling departamento,” the senator noted.
Go outlined the agencies now under the DMW structure, emphasizing the need for effective coordination among them. He also cited the funds allocated in the 2026 national budget to support overseas Filipinos in crises.
According to Go, a growing number of OFWs in the region have already expressed their intention to return to the Philippines.
“More than a thousand OFWs have already expressed their intention to return to the Philippines. Ito po yung mga gusto nang umuwi. Almost 300 Filipinos na po ang dumating, salamat po sa ating DMW,” he said.
“Siguraduhin nating nakalatag na ang sapat na tulong at reintegration programs para sa mga uuwing OFWs,” he added.
Go recalled the government’s large-scale repatriation operations during the COVID-19 pandemic and urged officials to apply similar coordination if the situation worsens.
“Paalala ko lang sa ating DMW Secretary, maalala ninyo po noong panahon ng pandemya, mas marami po yung pinauwi ninyo. Kinaya ninyo po yun sir, kayang-kaya ninyo po yun noong panahon ng pandemya. Mas marami yun, libo-libo. In fact, million po ata ang naipauwi ninyo nung panahon na yun,” he said.
“Iba lang po sitwasyon ngayon, halos hindi rin sila makalipad noon dahil maraming bawal. Pero tandan ninyo lang po yung ginawa natin noong panahon ng pandemya. Yun talagang global crisis yung panahon ng pandemya, paano natin inalagaan ang ating mga OFWs, at paano yung maayos na coordination. Lahat po ng pwersa ng gobyerno ay nakatutok po dapat sa kanila,” Go explained.
He also emphasized the importance of reintegration programs for returning OFWs.
“Dapat pag-uwi nila may malinaw na direksyon. May sasalo. May tutulong at higit sa lahat may oportunidad sila,” the senator said.
Apart from security concerns, Go warned of the potential economic consequences of the Middle East conflict, particularly its impact on global fuel prices. Go indicated his openness to supporting the suspension of fuel excise taxes if global oil prices reach a certain level.
“Kami naman sa Senado, willing po ako sumuporta, kung kailangan isuspend ang excise tax, gawin natin pag umabot na sa US$100 per barrel, should the conflict continue and global supply flows remain constrained,” he said.
The senator concluded his manifestation by questioning the responsiveness of government hotlines for Filipinos seeking assistance abroad.
“Ito na po yung sinasabi ko – na meron silang matatakbuhan, may sasagot sa kanila, may peace of mind sila, at yung kanilang seguridad, lalong-lalo na po sa kanilang mga pamilyang naiwan dito,” he continued.
“Alam ninyo, mas nanaisin nilang magtrabaho dito, hindi mapalayo sa pamilya, pero nandoon po sila, tulungan po natin sila ngayon.”
