25 January 2016 - In view of the on-going tensions in the region, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) conducted a Contingency Planning Conference in Crown Plaza Hotel, Dead Sea Jordan from January 20 to 23 as part of the DFA’s continuing Post preparedness and contingency planning program, and the updating of the regional contingency plan for the Middle East. 

Sixteen (16) Philippine Embassies and Consulates General participated in the event, namely, the Philippine Embassies in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Baghdad, Beirut, Cairo, Damascus, Islamabad, Kuwait, Manama, Muscat, Riyadh, Tehran, and Tel Aviv, and Doha, and the Philippine Consulates General in Dubai and Jeddah. Undersecretary Jesus I. Yabes of the Office of Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) and Undersecretary Linglingay Lacanlale of the Office of the Undersecretary for Administration (DFA-OUA) presided over the conference.

The four-day conference discussed the current security situation and reviewed the respective Contingency Plans of each post which are specifically designed to assist overseas Filipinos in emergency situations.

The officials and staff of the Philippine Team in Amman, headed by Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Junever M. Mahilum-West, gave full logistical and administrative support to make the conference a success. This is the first time that a Regional Conference of DFA officials and Philippine Ambassadors in the Middle East was held in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. END