By: Nino Aclan

SENATOR  Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla on Wednesday urged concerned government agencies to disclose their preparations for the possible effects of the tension in the Middle East, including Israel, Lebanon and Iran.

In his manifestation before the Senate, Padilla voiced concern that Filipinos living and working in those areas would be among the first to feel the effects.

“Nagsasalita po ang inyong lingkod sapagkat hindi po natin ito dapat ipagsawalang bahala. Nangangamba po tayo na baka na naman tayo mabulaga sa matinding epekto nito sa ating bansa sa usapin ng seguridad at ekonomiya (I am speaking out because we cannot ignore this. I am concerned we might be caught unaware by the effects of these developments especially in terms of security and the economy),” he said.

“Hangad po natin na marinig sa ating mga ahensya na mayroon tayong sapat na preparasyon para sa usaping ito. Sapagka’t naniniwala tayo na itong ganitong bagay pag di naayos kaagad ito ay lalawak (We want our agencies to have enough preparations on the matter. I believe the situation may grow worse if it is not addressed),” he added.

Padilla said the developments should not be taken lightly, including the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, with the Iran government threatening to take revenge.

Because of this, he said authorities should know the preparations being made to address the effects of the tension.

“Hindi naman po sa pananakot, ngunit hindi po biro ang pangyayaring ito, sapagkat libo-libong milya man ang layo nila sa ating bansa, hindi po nangangahulugan na wala itong magiging epekto sa ating mga Pilipino (I am not scaring anyone but this is no joke. Just because this is happening thousands of miles away does not mean Filipinos won’t be affected),” he said.

“Paano nito maapektuhan ang ating ekonomiya? Ang stock market sa US ay nagbabagsakan, sa Japan bumagsak na rin. Sa atin kahapon nakakita tayo ng senyales na pabagsak. Paano kung lumaki ang krisis na ito? Paano po ang ating mga Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW)? Secured na po ba ang lahat sa mga conflict areas na ito (How will it affect our economy? Stock markets in US and Japan are affected, and our stock market is showing signs of being affected. What if the crisis worsens? How will we help our overseas Filipino workers? Are they secured in conflict areas)?” he added.

Padilla also asked the government if it is ready for the effects of Alert Levels in Lebanon, including the possible evacuation of Filipinos there.