Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday warned that the escalating conflict in the Middle East could endanger overseas Filipino workers and disrupt the Philippines’ oil supply. She urged the government to prepare for immediate contingencies as tensions abroad continue to rise. The senator said Filipino workers in affected areas may face security risks if the situation worsens.
Hontiveros called on concerned agencies to stay vigilant and ready to respond. She said authorities must be “alerto at handang magbigay ng agarang tulong sa bawat Pilipinong nangangailangan ng proteksyon.” She pressed for clear and well-funded repatriation plans to ensure Filipinos who want to return home can do so safely and without delay.
The senator also flagged possible economic consequences if the conflict affects global energy flows. She stressed the need for contingency measures that cover both the safe return of workers and the broader impact on the country’s energy supply. She urged the Department of Energy to put safeguards in place to prevent supply disruptions and price shocks that could burden consumers.
Hontiveros underscored the human cost of war as she appealed for restraint. “Nobody wins in a war. Sa huli, ang pinakamabigat na epekto ng digmaan ay laging bumabagsak sa mga ordinaryong mamamayan,” she said. She warned that ordinary families often bear the heaviest consequences of prolonged conflict.
Her statement places pressure on the government to act swiftly as developments unfold overseas. The senator emphasized coordination among agencies to protect Filipinos abroad and to shield the domestic economy from external shocks linked to the crisis.
