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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Quezon City gov't creates task force to help OFWs in Middle East

Quezon City gov't creates task force to help OFWs in Middle East

Published Mar 11, 2026 03:33 pm
The Quezon City government has created a special inter-agency task force to assist residents working in the Middle East amid rising tensions in the region.
The newly formed task force, called AGAP–QC OFW—which stands for Assistance, Guidance, Advocacy, and Protection of QCitizen Overseas Filipino Workers—was created through Executive Order No. 5, s-2026, and will will serve as the local government's crisis response mechanism.
Led by the Public Employment Service Office (PESO), Task Force AGAP-QC OFW will coordinate with national government agencies in monitoring the situation, provide immediate assistance, and facilitate the safe repatriation of QC OFWs who may be affected by the conflict.
"We want to assure our QCitizens in the Middle East that they are not alone during this time of crisis," Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement on Wednesday, March 11. 
"Our city government is closely coordinating with national government agencies to ensure that they receive the assistance and protection they need. We urge our fellow QCitizens abroad to remain vigilant and prioritize their safety as the situation continues to unfold," she added.
According to local government data, around 1,400 residents are working in Middle Eastern countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan.
QC PESO is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to expedite the repatriation of QC OFWs who may be affected by the conflict.
Upon their repatriation, the task force will provide various support services for affected Filipinos and their families, including crisis response, psychosocial support, job matching, skills retooling, livelihood assistance, and access to overseas employment opportunities in non-conflict areas.
The task force will also streamline referrals to social protection services and other city government programs to ensure that OFWs and their families can quickly access available assistance.
In addition, support mechanisms are being prepared for workers whose deployment may be affected by the ongoing conflict.
The QC government urged its citizens in the Middle East to remain vigilant and to strictly follow the advisories and directives issued by the Philippine Embassy and other concerned Philippine government agencies in their host countries.
OFWs and their families who need assistance are advised to coordinate with the Quezon City Migrant Resource Center (MRC) under QC PESO.
The MRC serves as the city's one-stop help desk for migrant workers, providing information services, case assistance, psychosocial support, and referrals to government programs for OFWs and their families affected by crises and other migration-related concerns.

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