Senators Erwin Tulfo and Raffy Tulfo on Thursday called out officials and personnel from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) assigned to the Middle East for being unreachable and absent as tensions escalated.
During a hearing of the Senate Committee on Migrant Workers, Senator Raffy, chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, said he had received around 100 complaints from Filipinos in the Middle East through his Facebook page, with many claiming that calls to Philippine embassy hotlines in the region were going unanswered despite the escalating security situation.
“In fairness to you, baka overwhelmed kayo, nabi-busy ang hotline kaso sinasabi ring nang ring lang daw,” he said.
Meanwhile, Senator Erwin, who chairs the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, criticized the agencies after receiving complaints from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families that embassy hotlines in the region were allegedly unresponsive.
The senator said the situation should be a crucial moment for government personnel abroad to prove that the Philippine government stands ready to assist its nationals, particularly OFWs, during times of crisis.
“This should be your shining moment kayo diyan sa DFA, DMW at tska OWWA sa ibang bansa,” Tulfo said, emphasizing that Filipino workers overseas urgently need support from their government.
While acknowledging the fear brought about by the war, Tulfo said officials and personnel assigned to the region should still fulfill their duties.
“Kailangan-kailangan kayo ng mga kababayan natin. Gawin ninyo ang trabaho ninyo,” Tulfo said.
He added that working in conflict-prone areas is part of the “hazards of the trade” for personnel assigned abroad.
“Wala tayong magagawa kung tamaan. Ganyan ang trabaho ninyo. That is your job. Do your job. Itong mga kababayan natin, they need the government's help. Kayo ang gobyerno diyan,” he said.
Tulfo warned that those unwilling or unable to perform their responsibilities should consider stepping down once the situation stabilizes.
“Kung natatakot kayo, pagkahumupa ito, lumayas kayo diyan. Mag-resign kayo lahat. Mga wala naman kayong silbi,” he added.
The senator also shared that a friend currently in Dubai wanted to return to the Philippines but was initially unable to reach the DFA hotline in the city. Tulfo said the issue was only resolved after he raised it with DFA Secretary Theresa Lazaro, after which someone reportedly answered the hotline.
For her part, OWWA chief Patricia Yvonne Caunan said OWWA personnel in various Middle Eastern countries are on duty 24/7 to monitor the situation and assist Filipino workers.
Caunan explained that hotlines may not always be answered immediately due to the high volume of calls coming in simultaneously from concerned OFWs and their families. She advised relatives in the Philippines seeking assistance to contact OWWA’s hotline 1348 in Manila.
