MANILA – The Israel-Iran conflict will be among the considerations of the House of Representatives in deliberating on the proposed 2026 budget, according to House Committee on Overseas Workers Affairs Chairperson and TINGOG party-list Rep. Jude Acidre.
He called on the Department of Migrant Workers to ensure that Filipinos repatriated from conflict countries would be given support, including temporary employment.
The Philippines raised a voluntary repatriation alert in Iran and in Israel amid escalating tension.
“Nakikita natin na isa sa mga agam-agam ng ating mga OFWs na nagdadalawang isip umuwi ay syempre kung ano ang aabutan nila sa Pilipinas. Kaya minarapat natin na tawagan si Secretary Hans, ang ating mga kaibigan sa DMW na ihanda ang Aksyon Fund, magkaroon ng tulong para sa mga repatriated I mean na OFWs lalung-lalo na sa usapin ng kanilang temporary employment sa Pilipinas,” Acidre said.
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“Kung ano po ‘yung mga pinagdaanan natin na challenges this year. We'll definitely be reflected in the choices that we will make, in the decisions that we will make, for the next year's budget,” he added.
“Kailangan natin pag-aralan mabuti, at kung anuman ang mga makikita natin na pagkukulang, lalung-lalo na sa pondo o di kaya sa mga mekanismo, ‘yan po ay magiging ka-parte ng pagdedesisyon natin sa pagbabalangkas ng pambansang budget para sa susunod na taon,” Acidre noted.
The lawmaker said the House was ready should measures be needed to prevent the conflict from negatively affecting the local economy.
“We'd want to make sure that the right shock proofs are available, na nandyan po ‘yung mga makakatulong sa ating mga negosyante, lalung-lalo na sa usapin ng fuel, kasi malaki ang magiging epekto nito sa ating ekonomiya. But that being said, it's really good to have a clear understanding what's going to happen. And I think the President has led the way, especially by calling the Cabinet together to study possible effects on the economy of the crisis in the Middle East,” Acidre said.
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