MANILA, Philippines — Up to 340,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) could lose their jobs if the Middle East war drags on, according to the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev), which warned that the escalating conflict between the United States, Israel, and Iran poses severe risks to Filipino employment and the country’s energy supply.

DepDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said on Wednesday that between 200,000 and 340,000 Filipinos abroad are at risk of displacement should the war continue. The conflict intensified after the United States and Israel launched joint airstrikes against Iran on February 27, prompting Iran to retaliate with missile strikes on oil-rich countries in the region. Iran has also closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil passageway, further worsening the crisis.

Balisacan explained that the Philippines sources 98 percent of its crude oil supply from the Middle East, making the country highly vulnerable to disruptions. “Because of the importance of oil in the economy, particularly on transport, logistics you would expect unemployment to rise,” he said, noting that the ripple effects could hit industries dependent on energy and overseas remittances.

The government has already declared a national energy emergency, as fuel prices continue to surge to record highs. This has placed additional pressure on transportation, logistics, trade, and agriculture, while ordinary consumers face rising costs of living.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has assured returning OFWs that the government is preparing new employment opportunities and training programs to help them reintegrate into the local workforce. He emphasized that the administration is working with the Private Sector Advisory Council to accelerate job placement and skills training for displaced workers.

Meanwhile, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said it is closely monitoring the situation in Gulf states, where alerts and curfews have been imposed. DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac reported that Filipinos remain “in a stable and orderly situation” despite the heightened tensions, and that funds are ready for OFW aid if needed.

The war’s impact is already being felt in the Philippines, with thousands of OFWs repatriated and more expected to return in the coming weeks. Lawmakers have warned of a mass exodus of Filipino workers from conflict zones, alongside skyrocketing evacuation costs and fuel prices.

As the conflict shows no signs of easing, the fate of hundreds of thousands of OFWs remains uncertain, and the Philippines faces the dual challenge of protecting its citizens abroad while managing the economic fallout at home.