Metro Manila, Philippines – The government has assured Filipinos that it is ready and working to respond to the impact of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, Malacañang said Monday, June 23.

“Ang gusto iparating ng pangulo: Handa tayo sa anumang mangyayari,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said in a news briefing. “Lahat ng pangangailangan ng taumbayan tutugunan ng pamahalaan.”

“Wag sila mag-aalala dahil ang gobyerno ngayon ay nagtatrabaho para sa ating lahat,” she said.

[Translation: The president wants to assure the people that the government is ready for anything. All of the needs of the people will be addressed by the government. The public should not worry as the government is working to provide our needs.]

Malacañang called on Filipinos seeking safety from the conflict in Israel and Iran to come home, adding that repatriates could receive P150,000 in financial aid, transport and accommodation support, medical assistance, and livelihood and training packages.

According to the Philippine embassy in Israel, 253 Filipinos have requested repatriation. The first batch of 26 Filipinos will arrive in Manila on Tuesday morning, June 24.

Meanwhile, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is also set to meet his economic team to discuss the local impact of the conflict, Castro said.

Issues that need to be finalized are the guidelines on fuel subsidy roll-out to public transport drivers and operators, farmers, and fisherfolk. The budget for fuel subsidy is P2.5 billion.

Israel and Iran have traded missile strikes since June 13. The United States on Sunday claimed on Sunday it “obliterated” three Iranian nuclear sites.

Geopolitical tensions have triggered speculation on possible oil supply constraints that have caused a spike in global prices.