Iloilo City monitors 551 OFWs in Middle East

By Mariela Angella Oladive

More than 500 overseas Filipino workers from Iloilo City deployed in several Middle Eastern countries are under close monitoring by the city government amid ongoing security tensions in parts of the region.

Public Employment Service Office head Mx. Gab Umadhay said 551 OFWs had been recorded and were being monitored as of noon March 4.

“The figure covers Iloilo City residents whose addresses were verified by their respective barangays and whose overseas employment records were processed through the city before migration,” Umadhay said.

Based on the city’s monitoring summary, Saudi Arabia had the highest number with 192 Ilonggo workers.

The United Arab Emirates followed with 159, Kuwait with 65, Bahrain with 62 and Qatar with 38.

Smaller numbers were recorded in Israel with 19 workers, Oman with 11, Jerusalem with four and Lebanon with one.

Of the total, 106 OFWs had been profiled and confirmed safe, Umadhay said.

Another 441 workers were still undergoing verification as PESO continued to gather updated information through communication with OFWs, their families and partner recruitment agencies.

Umadhay said the monitoring system prioritizes OFWs in areas considered “red zones,” or conflict-affected locations, while continuing to track workers outside those areas.

“Please do not get confused. The government is still monitoring [those outside the ‘red zones’]; however, there is a specific monitoring focus on those who are truly affected by the situation,” Umadhay said.

Umadhay urged OFWs whose information is not yet recorded to contact the PESO Iloilo City Facebook page so they can be included in the monitoring system.

Workers who reach out will be asked to submit basic details, including their current location, employer and contact information, Umadhay said.

PESO said the information will allow workers to be added to communication channels such as group chats or WhatsApp groups.

Umadhay said the system is intended to speed coordination if repatriation becomes necessary.

As of March 4, the Department of Migrant Workers had not issued instructions for mass repatriation, Umadhay said.

He said the agency instead directed local governments to monitor OFWs in the Middle East while gathering information for possible evacuation operations if the situation escalates.

Umadhay said four OFWs — two from Bahrain and one each from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia — have expressed interest in repatriation after declaring work stoppages due to bombings in parts of the region.

Umadhay said support for workers remains limited while they are abroad but assistance will be provided once they return to the Philippines.

For families in Iloilo City affected by disrupted remittances, Umadhay said the Department of Labor and Employment Region 6 approved PHP 3 million in assistance.

The funding will support households through temporary employment programs, including Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, commonly known as TUPAD.

PESO said the program will prioritize families whose OFW relatives are unable to send remittances due to the situation in the Middle East.

The city government said monitoring of Ilonggo OFWs in the Middle East remains ongoing.

Authorities urged workers and their families to coordinate with PESO Iloilo City for updates, verification and possible assistance.