Middle East Crisis: Over 1 Million OFWs at risk, PH gov't ready for repatriation
Over 1.1 million OFWs in the Middle East face severe risks as conflict escalates. The DMW affirms the Philippine government's readiness for mass repatriation, with some Filipinos in Dubai already seeking to return.
The Middle East crisis involving escalating tensions between US-Israel forces and Iran has put over 2 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) at risk as of March 2026. According to Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) records, there are approximately 1.113 million land-based OFWs in the Middle East, with women comprising the majority and working primarily in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Jordan. The conflict intensified after US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, followed by Iranian retaliatory attacks, prompting Philippine embassies to advise Filipinos to limit movement and stay indoors.
DMW Secretary Hans Cacdac confirmed on March 2, 2026, that while there is no mandatory or mass repatriation order yet, the Philippine government is fully prepared to assist OFWs who wish to return voluntarily. The DMW has coordinated with the Department of National Defense regarding potential use of military assets and has established partnerships with private sectors for air, sea, and land transport. At least 80 OFWs in Dubai have already expressed intent to be repatriated, and the government is working on repatriating the remains of the first confirmed Filipino casualty, caregiver Mary Anne Velazquez de Vera, who was killed by shrapnel in Israel.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered interagency coordination involving DMW, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to address the conflict's impact. The government is preparing contingency measures including employment support, redeployment opportunities through recruitment agencies to safer locations, and livelihood assistance for returning workers. The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has warned of significant economic threats, noting that 100% of the country's crude oil imports come from the Middle East and that OFW remittances reached ₱2.2 trillion ($38.3 billion) in 2024.
Several senators including Erwin Tulfo, Francis Pangilinan, and Sherwin Gatchalian have called for immediate crisis protocols and recovery plans, with a proposed Senate inquiry into government preparedness. Migrante-Middle East has demanded fully funded evacuation, safe shelters, financial aid, and long-term reintegration support for repatriated OFWs. The situation remains fluid with flight disruptions reported, including a Riyadh-bound flight that was diverted back to Manila on March 1, 2026, forcing OFWs to return amid escalating tensions.
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