Co-Sponsorship Speech on Senate Resolution No. 325 Resolution Expressing the Sense of the Senate Urging the Philippine Government to Immediately Implement Measures for the Protection and Repatriation of OFWs Amid Escalating Tensions in the Middle East, and to Adopt Interventions to Mitigate the Resulting Economic Impacts on the Philippine Economy

CO-SPONSORSHIP SPEECH

PSR 325

Resolution expressing the sense of the Senate urging the Philippine government to immediately implement measures for the protection and repatriation of OFWs amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, and to adopt interventions to mitigate the resulting economic impacts on the Philippine economy

Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada

March 3, 2026

Mr. President, I rise to join my colleagues in supporting the adoption of Proposed Senate Resolution No. 325 for the sake of our kababayans, especially the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who are caught in the middle of the conflict that is now escalating in the Middle East.  This is a serious and urgent call because the region is home to many OFWs who now need immediate and strategic assistance from the Philippine Government.  According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), there are 30,347 OFWs in Israel, 823 in Iran, and 411 in Gaza and the West Bank.

We acknowledge the efforts and tireless services being extended by our agencies, including the DFA, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). Their swift and well-coordinated response is critical during these times; hence, government resources should be mustered to allow them to effectively and efficiently perform their mandates.

Sa mga panahong ito, walang ibang masasandalan at maaasahan para sa kinakailangang agarang tulong ang mga kapwa nating Pilipino kundi ang ating pamahalaan.

Of course, our priority is to ensure the safety and security of our people in the affected areas, and to eventually bring them home at the soonest time possible. Apart from this, we also have to attend to the economic consequences of the said conflict to protect businesses and consumers in our country.

Sinusuportahan ko rin ang panawagan ni Pangulong Marcos na tatalakayin niya sa mga miyembro ng Kongreso ang pagkakaroon ng “emergency powers” para mabawasan ang excise taxes sa petroleum products—at ano pa mang economic interventions ng ating pamahalaan.

Thank you, Mr. President.