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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Wag sila iwanan sa ere': Cayton bill seeks better protection for OFWs during war, disasters

'Wag sila iwanan sa ere': Cayton bill seeks better protection for OFWs during war, disasters

Published Jun 15, 2026 01:39 pm

At A Glance

  • Rep. Tim Cayton filed HB No.9228 to create a faster, automatic aid and repatriation system for OFWs during crises.
  • The bill provides financial aid, evacuation support, medical and psychosocial services, and reintegration assistance.
  • Cayton urged swift government response as the US–Iran war continues to compromise OFWs' safety in the Middle East.
Nueva Vizcaya lone district Rep. Atty. Timothy Joseph “Tim” Cayton (Facebook)
Nueva Vizcaya lone district Rep. Atty. Timothy Joseph “Tim” Cayton (Facebook)


A member of the House Committee on Appropriations wants to strengthen through legislation government's protection and assistance mechanism for overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) during war, disasters, pandemics, and other crises abroad.
Nueva Vizcaya lone district Rep. Timothy Joseph “Tim” Cayton filed for this purpose House Bill (HB) No. 9228 or the proposed “OFW Crisis Protection and Assistance Act".
The measure seeks to establish a faster and automatic system of aid and repatriation for OFWs at risk.
According to Cayton, OFWs should not be burdened by long and complicated processes while in the middle of emergency situations.
"Kapag may krisis, dapat mabilis at direkta ang tugon ng gobyerno. Hindi dapat napapabayaan ang ating mga OFW na matagal nang nagsasakripisyo para sa kanilang pamilya at para sa ekonomiya ng bansa," he said.
(When there is a crisis, the government’s response must be swift and direct. Our OFWs, who have long sacrificed for their families and the nation’s economy, must not be neglected.)
For lawyer-solon, it is high time to improve government protection for Filipinos working abroad.
The solon from Luzon made his pitch even as the United States (US)-Iran war--the effects of which have spilled over to the Middle East--remain largely unresolved. There are over two million Filipinos working in the area, and their safety has been a major issue since the war broke out in late February 2026 .
The bill mandates automatic activation of assistance programs when there is a declaration of armed conflict, mandatory evacuation, civil unrest, pandemic, or other serious threats to OFWs’ safety.
It also includes immediate financial assistance, evacuation support, medical and psychosocial services, and reintegration aid for affected OFWs.
"Ang mga OFW natin ay hindi dapat iniiwan sa panahon ng panganib. Dapat ramdam nila na may gobyernong handang umalalay at kumilos agad para sa kanilang kaligtasan,” Cayton added.
(Our OFWs must not be left behind in times of danger. They should feel that the government is ready to support and act quickly for their safety.)

Related Tags

OFWs WAR disaster US Iran Timothy Joseph \"Tim\" Cayton
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