Camille Naredo

A cellular tower in Quezon City in this photo taken on August 06, 2020.

A cellular tower in Quezon City in this photo taken on August 06, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

CELLULAR TOWER

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed telecommunication companies in the Philippines to provide free communication services for overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East and their families.This is to ease the burden of families and the OFWs as the military escalation in the region -- also called West Asia -- has dragged on for more than a week.Marcos Jr said the telcos have activated the Libreng Tawag Program, which will cover the OFWs including those in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.&quot;Through these efforts, we want to ensure that our kababayans can remain connected with their families, offer comfort to one another, and confirm their safety without additional financial burden,&quot; Marcos said.Each telco has devised a way for families to contact the OFWs for free.Globe will provide 1 GB free mobile data roaming service with 15 minutes voice call credits and 15 SMS text credits.PLDT/Smart will provide an unlimited number of calls of a maximum of 30 minutes per call.Dito meanwhile will give free calls to the Middle East anytime.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/5/gcash-waives-transaction-fees-for-ofws-in-middle-east-1706">READ: GCash waives transaction fees for OFWs in Middle East</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/3/2/globe-offers-free-roaming-services-to-conflict-hit-areas-in-middle-east-1124">READ: Globe offers free roaming services, PLDT offers free calls to conflict-hit areas in Middle East</a></div>&quot;Our public telecommunications entities will also set up free call stations in selected business centers located in major malls to help families stay in touch with their loved ones abroad,&quot; he said.Millions of OFWs remain in West Asia despite the ongoing conflict in the region.In a statement, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said they would monitor the telco firms&#x27; full compliance on the directive.  NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez said the agency is ready to support the implementation of Marcos, Jr&#x27;s directive, which seeks to help affected OFWs and their families stay connected without worrying about costly international call, text, and data charges.&quot;As the regulatory body overseeing the telecommunications sector, the NTC commends Globe Telecom, PLDT/Smart, and DITO Telecommunity for their swift and compassionate response to the President&#x27;s directive,&quot; said Lopez.  &quot;Through these efforts, we want to ensure that our kababayans can remain connected with their families, offer comfort to one another, and confirm their safety without additional financial burden,&quot; she added.  Lopez urged telecommunications companies to fully comply with the President&#x27;s order, including the rollout of free call stations in selected mall-based business centers where families can contact their loved ones in the Middle East. The country&#x27;s three telecommunications providers have earlier activated their &quot;Libreng Tawag&quot; service in response to the directive.  &quot;The Commission stands ready to monitor implementation of the President&#x27;s directive, facilitate any necessary coordination, and ensure that all OFWs and their families benefit fully from this vital support initiative, underscoring the government&#x27;s unwavering priority of their welfare and peace of mind,&quot; she said. -- with a report from Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed telecommunication companies in the Philippines to provide free communication services for overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East and their families.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed telecommunication companies in the Philippines to provide free communication services for overseas Filipino workers in the Middle East and their families.

Marcos Jr. directs telcos to provide free services to families of Middle East OFWs

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Marcos Jr. directs telcos to provide free services to families of Middle East OFWs

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 09, 2026 05:00 PM PHT

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Updated March 09, 2026 05:31 PM PHT

Read More:

Middle East

conflict

telcos

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

OFWs

overseas Filipino workers

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