Manuel V. Pangilinan has directed PLDT and Smart Communications to offer free calls to Filipinos in countries affected by the conflict in the Middle East.
In a post on X dated March 2, Pangilinan said he was concerned about overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and had instructed the companies to make it easier for them to contact their families.
“Worrying about our OFWs. I’ve asked PLDT and Smart to offer free calls for Filipinos in countries affected by the conflict in the Middle East. Details to follow, but the marching order is to make it as easy as possible for our countrymen to reach their loved ones, and vice versa,” he said.
Pangilinan added that PLDT is offering free calls to the Philippines for Filipinos in Iran, Israel, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia through the TinBo app via Smart Virtual Number.
He said PLDT, Smart, and TNT subscribers in the Philippines may also call their loved ones in those Middle Eastern countries free of charge.
The offer will run until March 7, with a possible extension depending on the situation, he added.
Tensions in the Middle East escalated over the weekend following joint military operations launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Citing data from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Pangilinan said there are about 2.5 million Filipinos in the Middle East, most of whom are in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, including around 800 OFWs in Iran.
