The House of Representatives has formally backed a resolution calling for the temporary suspension or reduction of transaction and remittance fees for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East.

House Resolution 905, authored by House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos, urges banks, remittance centers, and other financial service providers to ease the cost of sending money home to the Philippines.

“During these challenging times, where the Filipino worker’s dependence on ATM and online banking platforms is heightened, fees only add to the burden,” the resolution stated.

Marcos said waiving or lowering remittance fees would make a significant difference for OFWs, allowing more of their hard-earned money to reach their families back home.

The resolution also calls on the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to consider temporarily suspending added costs on interbank ATM withdrawals, which currently amount to ₱18 per transaction, and online transfer charges of ₱25 per transaction.

“This measure ensures that the government can respond swiftly, decisively, and responsibly when global conditions place pressure on domestic prices,” Marcos said, noting that it is the government’s duty to help citizens cope with the economic effects of the crisis in the Middle East.

The resolution now serves as a formal appeal to financial institutions to provide immediate relief for OFWs and their families during the ongoing regional crisis.