Gov’t efforts to ensure safety of Filipinos in Middle East lauded

Manila: Speaker Martin Romualdez on Wednesday commended President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for prioritizing the safety and welfare of Filipinos in the Middle East, as tensions escalate between Israel and Hezbollah forces in Lebanon. Romualdez, who accompanied President Marcos during his participation in the ASEAN Summit in Laos, highlighted the President's proactive response in assessing the situation of Filipino nationals in the Middle East. Romualdez said the President convened a video conference with his Cabinet to review ongoing government efforts to ensure the safety of over 40,000 Filipinos in Israel and Lebanon. 'The President's decision to prioritize the safety of our countrymen, even while attending the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summit in Laos, reflects his deep concern and dedication to every Filipino,' Romualdez told reporters in an ambush interview in Laos. 'There was growing tension in the Middle East and we have to secure our Filipinos there. We wanted to make the security arrangements and assure t hem that amidst the growing tensions, we secure our Filipinos in the region,' he added. In his speech before his departure to Laos, President Marcos said the concerned Philippine embassies have been coordinating with the Filipino community on this matter and working on securing exit papers and transportation for those returning. During a briefing before his departure to Laos, Marcos reassured the public that the government is mobilizing all necessary resources to ensure the safety of over 40,000 Filipino nationals in Lebanon and Israel. Marcos said one-third of the 1,500 Filipinos in Lebanon who have expressed interest in returning home have already been repatriated, while another third are still processing their travel documents. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are currently preparing to bring home at least 162 distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Israel this October. Marcos has also directed the Department of Foreign Affairs (DF A), DMW, and OWWA to provide him with daily updates on the situation and repatriation efforts. The President called on all parties to exercise restraint and work towards a peaceful resolution to the conflict. 'The Philippines will always stand for the principles of international law and the safety of Filipinos in the Philippines and overseas,' Marcos said. Source: Philippines News Agency