Activation of presidential preparedness team urged amid MidEast tensions


ACTS OFW party-list Representative Aniceto "John" Bertiz III on Thursday pushed for the activation of the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Team (PMEPT) in light of the rising tensions in the Gulf region.
In a statement, Bertiz expressed concern over the recent developments in the Middle East, particularly in Saudi Arabia where the government has arrested members of the royal family in pursuit of its anti-corrupt drive.
“Our national interest lies with maintaining good relations with our allies in the Gulf region while ensuring the protection and welfare of millions of Filipino workers in the Middle East," he said.
"The activation of the [Philippine] Middle East Preparedness Team would help the national leadership draw up an appropriate plan to attain this objective,” Bertiz added.
The PMEPT was created in 2002 through an executive order issued by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to "prepare the appropriate responses, formulate policies, develop modes for coordination, put into effect all plans approved by the President and monitor their implementation accordingly" amid the critical developments in the Middle East, where the bulk of over 2 million OFWs are.
Bertiz said former military chief of staff and now Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who concurrently heads the PMEPT, has enough experience and track record to review and update existing contingency plans and see possible security and economic risks that may impact Filipino workers in the Middle East.
He said the activation of the PMEPT will not affect much of Cimatu's time, given that the contingency plans are already set up.
Aside from this, Bertiz suggested that expansion of the composition of the PMEPT to include a representative from the National Economic Development Authority.
He added that the PMEPT should also see how the rising tensions in the Gulf region may possibly affect oil prices, which may also affect domestic prices in the long run.
“While we all continue to pray for peace and keep advising our workers to stay calm and focus on their work, it is to the nation’s interest to make sure that the government is well-prepared for any eventuality. The activation of the PMEPT is a cautious step toward that direction,” Bertiz said.
“In fact, the work of the PMEPT will make it easier for the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) and the DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment) to focus on the ASEAN Summit and on its core functions of serving Filipinos here and abroad," he added. —Erwin Colcol/KBK, GMA News

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