Despite rising tensions between Israel and Iran, the Philippine government says the conflict has not yet affected remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Department of Finance (DOF) sees no immediate disruption. Citing DOF Undersecretary Alu C. Dorotan Tiuseco, Castro explained that remittances from both Israel and Iran totaled $106.4 million in 2024—just 0.03% of the Philippines’ total remittance inflow.
“The impact on remittances remains limited for now,” Castro noted. However, she warned that if the conflict spreads across the Middle East, it could pose a significant threat to overall remittance figures.
The Israel-Iran conflict, now into its second week of missile exchanges, has caused concern for civilians and foreign workers in the region.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier stated that there is no need yet for mandatory repatriation, although 150 OFWs in Israel are currently scheduled to return to the Philippines.
According to the Department of Migrant Workers, Israel is home to roughly 30,000 Filipinos—mostly caregivers—while over 1,000 Filipinos are in Iran.