Manila: The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could last four to eight weeks based on initial reports received by Philippine diplomatic posts, a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) official told senators Friday. During a Senate Committee on Migrant Workers hearing, DFA Assistant Secretary Germinia Usudan indicated that the fighting may extend longer than previous clashes and could impact overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and the Philippine economy.

According to Philippines News Agency, Usudan expressed concerns over the war's potential effects on approximately 2.4 million Filipinos working in the Middle East, as well as possible disruptions in global oil supply and commodity prices. She highlighted that developments in key oil routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of global oil supply passes, could influence fuel prices and the cost of goods due to increased transport and delivery expenses.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for Strategy and Policy Jeffrey Hechanova from the Department of National Defense emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the conflict's timeline due to the rapidly changing situation. Hechanova noted that the government's ability to provide a precise timeline is hindered by the ongoing actions and counteractions of involved countries. Government agencies are actively monitoring the situation and preparing response protocols, as lawmakers expressed concerns that a prolonged conflict could affect Filipino workers in the region and have wider economic consequences for the country.