CAYETANO PUSHES CRISIS FRAMEWORK TO SHIELD OFWs AS GLOBAL RISKS MOUNT
Philippine Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano is pressing the government to establish a national contingency framework to protect millions of overseas Filipino workers facing mounting risks from global conflicts and economic disruptions.
Cayetano filed Senate Resolution No. 343, urging the executive branch to develop a comprehensive National Contingencies Plan that would allow the Philippines to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from large-scale crises through a coordinated whole-of-government approach.
The resolution, which drew support from all senators and was formally adopted by the Senate, comes as armed conflicts in the Middle East and other regions threaten the welfare and employment of Filipinos working abroad.
“Instabilities, armed conflict, and war directly affect the welfare and employment of millions of OFWs across the Middle East and other regions, potentially affecting the livelihoods of millions of Filipino families dependent on remittances,” Cayetano said.
The Philippines is one of the world’s largest exporters of labour, with millions of workers deployed in regions vulnerable to political and economic instability. Cash remittances from overseas Filipinos reached a record $35.63 billion in 2025, according to central bank data cited by the senator.
Cayetano said the proposed framework would enable government agencies to coordinate swiftly and effectively during crises requiring evacuation, repatriation, or economic assistance for Filipinos abroad.
“It highlights not just the gravity of the economic benefits that they selflessly bring to our nation, but also underscores the need for the State to reciprocate their sacrifices now more than ever,” he said.
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