THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has swiftly acted on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to order telecommunications companies to connect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in conflict-stricken Middle East and their families in the Philippines, free of charge.
NTC Commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez said the “Libreng Tawag (free calls)” program has been activated to cover OFWs in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
Lopez said in a statement that the NTC ensured telecommunications companies’ compliance with the order.
The NTC official reiterated that the commission is ready to carry out the president’s order, which seeks to help affected OFWs and their families stay connected without worrying about expensive international call, text and data charges.
“As the regulatory body overseeing the telecommunications sector, the NTC commends Globe Telecom, PLDT/Smart, and DITO Telecommunity for their swift and compassionate response to the president’s directive,” Lopez said.
“Through these efforts, we want to ensure that our kababayan (countrymen) can remain connected with their families, offer comfort to one another, and confirm their safety without additional financial burden,” she added.
To ensure full compliance with the president’s order, Lopez said call stations in selected mall-based business centers where families can place calls to their loved ones in the Middle East have also been established.
“The commission stands ready to monitor implementation of the president’s directive, facilitate any necessary coordination, and ensure that all OFWs and their families benefit fully from this vital support initiative, underscoring the government’s unwavering priority of their welfare and peace of mind,” Lopez said.