As tensions escalate in parts of the Middle East, business leader Manuel Pangilinan has moved swiftly to ensure that Filipinos caught in affected areas can stay connected with their families back home.
In a post on social media, Pangilinan said he has instructed PLDT and its wireless arm Smart to offer free calls for Filipinos in countries impacted by the ongoing conflict. The initiative aims to make communication easier for overseas Filipino workers anxious about their safety and eager to reassure loved ones in the Philippines.\
Pangilinan acknowledged the growing concern over the situation of OFWs in the region, stressing that the immediate priority is to remove barriers to communication. While full details of the program are still being finalized, he said the clear directive to the country’s major telco providers is to make the process as simple and accessible as possible.
Millions of Filipinos work across the Middle East, and even limited disruptions to communication can heighten anxiety for families separated by thousands of miles. By extending free calls, PLDT and Smart are expected to help ease that burden at a critical time, allowing OFWs and their families to stay in touch without worrying about cost.
Further announcements on the scope and mechanics of the free call services are expected in the coming days, as the companies finalize arrangements in response to the unfolding situation.