Aquino: Gov’t ready for OFW repatriation amid Saudi-Iran row
President Benigno S. Aquino III leads the Ceremonial Switch-on of the 300- Megawatt (MW) Davao Baseload Power Plant, Davao Base load Power Plant Complex, Boundary of Bgy. Binugao, Toril, Davao City and Bgy. Inawayan, Sta. Cruz, Davao Del Sur on Friday (January 8, 2016). Also in photo are Mindanao Development Authority (MinDa) chairperson Luwalhati Antonino, Department of Energy Secretary Zenaida Y. Monzada, Aboitiz Power Corporation CEO Erramon I. Aboitiz and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.This Power plant is one of the critical projects needed to finally solve long term the perennial Mindanao power shortage. This power plant supplies power to more than twenty (20) electric cooperatives and distribution utilities all over Mindanao. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau)
President Benigno Aquino III has assured the public that there was no need to worry over the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East amid the escalating tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
During the inauguration of the 300-megawatt Davao baseload power plant, Aquino on Friday said the government is coordinating with the Philippines’ 23 embassies and consular offices in the region to ensure the safety and welfare of Filipinos in worst case scenarios.
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“So lahat itong mga Embahada natin sa Gitnang Silangan, ‘yung ni-review ulit ‘yung kanilang mga contingency plans. Pero isa sa una kong pinag-utos, siguraduhin natin ‘yung mga organisasyon na katulong natin kung saka-sakali ilikas ‘yung mga kababayan natin ay up to date ‘yung contacts, tetestengin nila na kayang ma-contact lahat ng ating mga kababayan doon para maipon itong mga organisasyon na kinabibilangan nila para smooth kung kakailanganin nating ilikas,” Aquino said.
READ: Palace: Safety of OFWs top priority amid Saudi-Iran row
But the President said there was no assessment that the severing of diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Iran would further escalate and lead to war.
Citing Labor Secretary Rosalinda Baldoz, Aquino said the government was ready to accommodate the retraining and job placement of returning Filipino workers in case of repatriation.
“Hindi ko pinapangako, nagawa na natin, kaya nating gawin kung saka-sakaling kakailanganin. Pero ulit, ‘yung talagang hinahabol natin na makatulong doon sa panunumbalik ng katahimikan sa Gitnang Silangan dahil malaki talaga ang epekto nito sa, ‘di ba, ‘yung refugee problem, ‘yung ating economy—world economy bumabangon na pa lang. So handa tayong dumamay at tumulong, at matagal na tayong tumutulong din doon para nga magkaroon ng kapanatagan dito sa Gitnang Silangan,” he added.
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According to DFA records, more than 800,000 Filipinos are working in Saudi Arabia, 4,000 in Iran, and an estimated 2 million in the entire Middle East.
Aquino and Energy Secretary Zenaida Monsada also said the country has other sources of oil when worse comes to worse in the Saudi-Iran conflict.
“Bulk of the supply natin on crude galing sa Saudi but we have other sources, mga refined, and even ang ASEAN mayroong supply security agreement. Siguro at this point, kasi sa mga tanong na, ano, is, paano ‘yung presyo tataas? Sa ngayon, wala pong impact sa supply ng langis. In fact, we are expecting another rollback next week,” Monsada said.
The conflict between the two countries worsened following the Saudi execution of a Shiite cleric. Saudi Arabia severed diplomatic ties with Iran after protesters ransacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran.
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