Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero on Monday expressed sympathy to the family of Mary Ann de Vera, a Filipina who lost her life amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, and called for heightened government action to safeguard overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
In a statement, Escudero said no Filipino should die simply for trying to earn an honest living abroad to support loved ones back home.
He underscored the need for the government to act swiftly to protect Filipinos in conflict-affected areas, stressing that their safety must remain the top priority. The senator urged the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers to ensure contingency and evacuation measures are ready for immediate implementation.
Escudero also pressed both agencies to maintain open, direct, and proactive communication with OFWs in high-risk locations to keep them updated on security developments and available assistance.
While focusing on the urgent need for protection, the senator said the tragedy also highlights a broader issue that has persisted for decades, the economic pressures that drive many Filipinos to seek employment overseas.
He noted that millions leave the country not out of preference but necessity, often facing uncertainty and instability in foreign lands. Though overseas jobs may offer better pay, some destinations remain politically and security-wise volatile, putting workers at risk.
Escudero emphasized that addressing this long-term challenge requires sustained economic reforms at home, including generating quality jobs, strengthening domestic industries, raising wages, and ensuring food and energy stability.
“Our goal should be to create conditions where working abroad is an option, not an obligation,” he said, adding that Filipinos deserve the opportunity to build stable and dignified lives without having to leave their families behind.
He maintained that while the government must continue to recognize and protect OFWs, the ultimate tribute to their sacrifices is to build a stronger national economy, one that makes staying in the Philippines a viable and rewarding choice.
