KUALA LUMPUR - Philippines’ President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered telecommunications companies to provide free communication services to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families as tensions escalate in the Middle East.

Philippine News Agency reported that telecom firms have activated a “libreng tawag” or free call programme to help Filipinos stay in contact with loved ones.

The initiative will cover Filipinos in Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

These countries host thousands of overseas Filipino workers.

Marcos said the government will also establish free call stations in selected business centres across the Philippines.

The stations will allow families in the country to contact relatives working in the affected region.

“Through these efforts, we want to ensure that our kababayans will remain connected with their families, offer comfort to one another, and confirm their safety without additional financial burden,” the President said.

The measure comes as the Philippine government continues to monitor the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.

Expanding military operations and restricted airspace have complicated evacuation and repatriation efforts.

Marcos earlier urged Filipinos in the region to take shelter and remain vigilant while authorities assess the situation.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Migrant Workers have been assisting overseas Filipinos and preparing contingency measures.

Officials said possible repatriation plans are also being considered as tensions persist.