Manila:The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has affirmed that emergency funds will remain adequate until the end of the year for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by recent Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia and protests in France and Italy.

According to Philippines News agency, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac announced during a media forum that the PHP3-billion supplemental budget, introduced by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in July, is being utilized to assist Filipinos facing travel disruptions in Saudi Arabia. This assistance includes covering airfare, accommodation, and providing financial aid.

The DMW, collaborating with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), has been facilitating the provision of plane tickets for OFWs whose Riyadh-Manila flights were disrupted. They are also providing accommodations for passengers whose flights were redirected to Jeddah. Assistance has been extended to Filipinos from the provinces whose scheduled flights to Riyadh were canceled due to the attacks on King Khalid International Airport. OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne 'PY' Caunan has arranged accommodations for stranded travelers in Manila.

In Europe, the DMW is actively monitoring the situation in France and Italy, where protests have erupted due to high living costs, low wages, and rising fuel prices. Philippine diplomatic posts are maintaining contact with Filipino communities, issuing warnings, and offering assistance through hotlines. The DMW is working closely with the Philippine Embassy in Paris, Rome, and the Consulate General in Milan to ensure the safety of Filipinos.

Cacdac emphasized that, so far, no Filipinos have been adversely affected by the recent incidents in Europe, which have calmed down and are under control by local law enforcement. However, the DMW remains ready to initiate evacuation or repatriation if necessary, following President Marcos's directive to monitor and prepare for potential escalations.