The government may need more funding to support the repatriation of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from the Middle East should the ongoing conflict in the region worsen, officials said during a Senate hearing Friday.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac told lawmakers that while current resources can support existing repatriation requests, additional funds would be necessary in a worst-case scenario involving a larger number of returning workers.

“We can live with the current budget with the current level of repatriation requests. However… in a worst-case scenario, yes, kailangan po ng supplemental funding (we would need supplemental funding),” Cacdac said.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the government’s Emergency Repatriation Fund (ERF) stands at about PHP1.5 billion after partial utilization this year.

Based on simulations conducted by OWWA, mass evacuation of OFWs from the region could cost up to PHP3.67 billion if the crisis escalates.

Caunan said repatriating one OFW could cost around PHP150,000, covering transportation, welfare assistance and logistics until the worker reaches home.

“With around 2.4 million Filipinos in the Middle East, kung 1 percent lamang ang mag-request ng repatriation, that would be around 24,000 (If just 1 percent request repatriation, that would be about 24,000 people),” she said.

She added that such a scenario could create a funding gap of about PHP2.2 billion beyond the current ERF allocation.

Officials said the government is now studying possible funding sources, including the contingency fund and potential savings from other agencies, while discussions with the Department of Budget and Management are ongoing. (PNA)