Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc., together with SMART Communications, have announced measures to assist Filipinos affected by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, providing free communication services to ensure they can reach their family members in the Philippines.
Globe Telecom announced on Monday, March 3, that it is offering free roaming services for seven days to Filipino subscribers in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Eligible users will receive 1GB of mobile data, 15 call minutes, and 15 SMS credits, automatically activated for Globe Prepaid, TM, and Postpaid customers without the need for registration.
In addition to roaming support, Globe is providing load support and bill adjustments in Iran for subscribers in the region. The offer aims to ease communication for Filipinos amid regional disruptions affecting travel and mobile services.
Meanwhile, PLDT chairman and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan has instructed PLDT and SMART to offer free calls to Filipinos in conflict-affected Middle Eastern countries, including Iran, Israel, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
Using the TinBo app, which employs a Smart Virtual Number, Filipino overseas workers can make free calls to the Philippines starting March 3, 2026, until March 7, 2026, with the possibility of extension if needed. Conversely, their families in the Philippines can also reach them free of charge using PLDT, SMART, or TNT services.
“Worrying about our OFWs. I’ve asked PLDT and Smart to offer free calls for Filipinos in countries affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Details to follow, but the marching order is to make it as easy as possible for our countrymen to reach their loved ones, and vice versa,“ Pangilinan said in a statement posted on X.
“The marching order is to make it as easy as possible for our countrymen to reach their loved ones, and vice versa,” he added.
Additionally, the Smart crisis hotline (+63288457799) is available 24/7 to provide assistance for those needing immediate support.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) estimates that around 2.5 million Filipinos are currently in the Middle East, with the majority in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, and approximately 800 in Iran.
These initiatives aim to ensure that Filipino overseas workers can maintain communication with their families safely during the current crisis.
