'LIBRENG TAWAG' CONNECTS FILIPINO FAMILIES TO DISTRESSED OFWS

PNP going after hoarders of petroleum products

- BY JOCELYN REYES Reporter

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday directed telecommunications companies to provide free communication services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East.

In a social media post, the President said telecommunications firms responded by activating a "Libreng Tawag" (free call) program to help distressed Filipinos, especially those based in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, stay connected with their loved ones amid the crisis.

Marcos said the government will set up free call stations in selected business centers across the country so that families in the Philippines can contact relatives working in the affected region.

"Through these efforts, we want to ensure that our kababayans will remain connected with their families, offer comfort to one another, and confirm their safety without additional financial burden," he said.

The government continues to monitor the situation in the Middle East amid the continuing battle between Iran and the joint forces of the United States and Israel.

The PNP, meanwhile, said it is closely working with the Department of Energy to address concerns on hoarding and profiteering in the sale of petroleum products amid the Middle East conflict.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered police units to include gas stations in police visibility measures in response to an earlier request by the DOE to assist in monitoring oil prices.

REPATRIATION CONTINUES

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the repatriation of Filipinos from the Middle East would continue once possible.

Castro reiterated that some airspace remains closed, preventing or at least limiting air travel in parts of the Gulf region.