A House of Representatives legislator is ready to support a supplemental budget, should the government require additional resources to bring home Filipinos affected by tensions in the Middle East, and warned against fake AI-generated videos spreading fear online.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs chairperson and Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas said the 20th Congress is prepared to back additional funding for repatriation if the situation worsens.
She said lawmakers already discussed the possibility during a House hearing assessing the government’s response and the needs of agencies assisting Filipinos abroad.
Arenas said the government’s response aligns with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. prioritize the safety of Filipinos overseas.
“We will go by the guiding principle of the President, which is safety first,” she said, noting that government departments are now fully mobilized as developments in the Middle East remain “very fluid.”
“And we will not hesitate to support the needs of our departments to make sure that every Filipino is safe and protected,” Arenas added, noting that the House of Representatives will also continue monitoring the situation as part of its oversight functions.
According to Arenas, Philippine embassies in the region even joined the congressional hearing online to provide updates despite security risks. She noted that an estimated 2.4 million to 2.5 million Filipinos are working overseas, underscoring the stakes for the country amid the ongoing crisis.
“Makikita po natin yung vulnerability ng ating (We can see the vulnerability of our) OFWs,” Arenas said.
The lawmaker also confirmed that government agencies are assisting the family of Mary Ann Velasquez de Vera, the Filipina caregiver from Pangasinan who was struck by debris during an attack.
“And nakikiramay po kaming lahat sa pamilya niya (we express our condolences to her entire family),” she said.
Arenas also expressed concern over AI-generated videos circulating online that are causing panic among Filipinos monitoring the situation. “Actually, this was brought up yesterday because we don’t want to cause panic among our citizens and their families here,” she said.
To counter misinformation, the government has set up communication channels allowing families in the Philippines to directly reach relatives working in affected areas. She added that embassies are closely monitoring requests for assistance and responding quickly when Filipinos seek help.
“In fact, sabi naman po nung ating mga embahado doon na lahat po halos ‘nung mga humihingi ng tulong sa kanila, alam nila kung saan nakatira at kung humingi po ng tulong, agad-agad din hong pinupuntahan o tinatawagan nila itong mga OFW natin doon,” she said.
(In fact, our embassies there said that almost everyone who asks for help, they know where they live and if they request for assistance, they immediately visit or reach out to our OFWs there.)
Arenas acknowledged that immigration issues have also delayed the repatriation of some Filipinos.
She added that some workers who overstayed or lacked proper documents may need additional time before they can return home, although the government is assisting them through the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers.
Arenas also said the government is preparing reintegration assistance for workers who may be forced to return home if the crisis persists.
