Manila: The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) announced that all Philippine Schools Overseas (PSOs) located in Middle Eastern countries continue to be safe and operational despite the rising Iran-related conflict.

According to Philippines News Agency, CFO Secretary Dante 'Klink' Ang II noted that while some schools have transitioned to online classes under the directives of host countries, all PSOs are being closely monitored. The CFO has advised these schools to follow the advisories issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), focusing particularly on safety and security measures.

The CFO reported that 35 PSOs operate across 11 countries, including Bahrain, East Timor, Cambodia, Greece, Italy, Kuwait, Libya, Oman, Qatar, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, with 27 schools situated in the Arabian Gulf region. These institutions cater to approximately 25,000 students from pre-elementary to high school levels and employ about 1,000 teachers, administrators, and school staff.

Through coordinated check-calls organized by the agency on Monday morning, school administrators confirmed that students, faculty, and facilities remain unaffected by the current hostilities. The CFO's active outreach reflects its commitment to ensuring the safety of the Filipino academic community during times of geopolitical tension.

Secretary Ang emphasized that PSOs act as 'extensions of the motherland,' playing a vital role in upholding educational continuity and social stability for Filipino families abroad. As registered educational entities operating outside the Philippines, PSOs adhere to both Philippine regulations and the basic education curriculum of the Department of Education, in addition to complying with the rules of their host countries.

The CFO has pledged to maintain a 'constant monitoring mode' in collaboration with the DFA and the DMW, aiming to provide real-time updates to families in the Philippines with relatives who are either enrolled or employed in these institutions. The CFO stated that monitoring these institutions aligns with its core mission to strengthen ties between overseas Filipinos and the motherland while ensuring their welfare globally.