President Bongbong Marcos (PBBM) on Monday posted a public advisory on his official Facebook page regarding the launch of "Libreng Tawag Program" (Free Call Program) for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in the Middle East affected by escalating tensions in the region.
Here's the FB post by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. about the free call services.
Further assistance have been initiated for our OFWs in the Middle East. I have directed our telecommunications companies to provide free communication services between our OFWs and their families here in the Philippines. In response, they have activated the Libreng Tawag Program, which will provide critical support for Filipinos across the Middle East, including those in Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Our public telecommunications entities will also set up free call stations in selected business centers located in major malls to help families stay in touch with their loved ones abroad. Through these efforts, we want to ensure that our kababayans can remain connected with their families, offer comfort to one another, and confirm their safety without additional financial burden.
Along with PBBM's announcement are images detailing the Libreng Tawag Program. Major local telcos, including Globe/TM, PLDT/Smart/TNT, and DITO, and select malls offer these free call services.
If you're a Middle East OFW and want to call your loved ones for free, check out your respective network below for details.
For Globe/TM
- Service: Free Roaming Package
- Inclusion: 1GB mobile data, 15 minutes of voice calls, 15 SMS text credits
- Covered Countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- Registration: Not required. Service will be activated automatically for partner networks.
- Validity: 7 days
- Availability: Globe Prepaid, Postpaid, TM
For PLDT/Smart
- Service: Free IDD Calls
- Free call from Philippines to Middle East: Use PLDT Home landline for free calls. No special setup needed, just dial the number you want to contact.
- To dial from a PLDT landline: 00+Country Code+Area Code+Number, Example for Saudi Arabia (00+966+number)
- Limit: Per call (30 minutes), Number of calls per day (unlimited)
- Service: TinBo App
- Free call from Middle East to Philippines: Download the TinBo app (via tinbo.ph or app stores) and use a Smart Virtual Number.
- Covered Countries: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
- Service: Smart Crisis Hotline
- Contact Number: +63288457799
- Info: For Smart subscribers in the Middle East, call this toll-free number for immediate assistance or to coordinate with your family in the Philippines.
For DITO
- Service: Free Calls From Any Local Network
- Details: Whether your network is Globe, Smart, or DITO, as long as you call a DITO mobile number in covered countries, the call is free.
- Covered Countries: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE
Free Call Stations in Select Malls
Free Call Stations were activated in select business centers in major malls across the Philippines.
This service is for those who don't have a phone or a mobile load subscription but want to call their loved ones abroad (Middle East OFWs).
- Service details:
- Free to use: No load needed
- Available in major malls nationwide
- Open to all subscribers
- Just visit your nearest mall or business center and look for the Free Call Station of Globe, PLDT/Smart, or DITO.
I should also add that those having a hard time availing these free call services under the Libreng Tawag Program may send a message to their respective telco's official social media accounts for further help. – PinoyTechSaga
Images via @PCOGOVPH
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