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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcos orders free calls for OFWs, families amid Middle East tensions

Marcos orders free calls for OFWs, families amid Middle East tensions

Published Mar 9, 2026 07:25 am
File photos
File photos

President Marcos has directed telecommunications companies to provide free communication services for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East and their families in the Philippines amid escalating tensions in the region.

In a Facebook post on Monday morning, March 9, the President said the move aims to ensure Filipinos abroad can remain connected with their loved ones without additional financial burden.

“Our public telecommunications entities will also set up free call stations in selected business centers located in major malls to help families stay in touch with their loved ones abroad,” Marcos said.

The initiative is part of the Libreng Tawag Program, which provides free communication services between Filipinos in the Philippines and OFWs in several Middle Eastern countries.

Under the program, major telecommunications providers activated emergency communication support covering Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Telcos roll out free communication services

Telecommunications firms rolled out various services to help Filipinos stay connected during the crisis.

Subscribers of Globe and TM automatically receive a roaming package with 1 GB of mobile data, 15 minutes of calls, and 15 text messages valid for seven days in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

The package activates automatically when users connect to partner networks abroad and is available to Globe prepaid, postpaid, and TM subscribers.

PLDT and Smart also activated free international direct dialing (IDD) calls and communication services through the TinBo app.

Filipinos in the Philippines can call loved ones in the Middle East for free using PLDT landlines by dialing the international code.

OFWs abroad may also use the TinBo app with a Smart Virtual Number to place free calls to the Philippines.

The program covers Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

DITO Telecommunity also launched free calls for DITO numbers in the Middle East.

Calls are free regardless of whether the caller in the Philippines uses Globe, Smart, or DITO, as long as the recipient is a DITO subscriber.

The service covers Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Free call stations in malls

Aside from telecom services, companies will also install free call stations in selected business centers in major malls nationwide.

These stations will allow Filipinos who do not have phones or mobile load to contact relatives working in the Middle East.

The facilities will be open to subscribers of Globe, PLDT-Smart, and DITO.

President Marcos said the initiative aims to help families check on the safety of relatives abroad and offer comfort during the ongoing crisis.

“Through these efforts, we want to ensure that our kababayans can remain connected with their families, offer comfort to one another, and confirm their safety,” he said.

Related Tags

President Marcos Bongbong Marcos Middle East conflict Globe Telecom PLDT Smart DITO Telecommunity Corp.
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