Dubai: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the Middle East can now contact their families in the Philippines free of charge under the Philippine government’s “Libreng Tawag” (Free Call) programme, launched amid ongoing regional tensions.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. directed telecommunications companies to provide free communication services for Filipinos working across the region, including those in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iran and Iraq.
In a statement, Marcos said the initiative aims to help overseas Filipinos remain in contact with their families and confirm their safety during uncertain conditions. Public telecommunications providers were also instructed to set up free call stations in selected business centres and malls in the Philippines so families can reach relatives working abroad.
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Free roaming package
Subscribers of Globe Telecom and its budget brand TM (Touch Mobile) in the Middle East automatically receive a complimentary roaming package to help them stay connected.
The package includes:
- 1GB of mobile data
- 15 minutes of calls
- 15 SMS messages
The offer is valid for seven days and activates automatically once the subscriber connects to a partner network abroad. The roaming support applies to Globe prepaid, postpaid and TM users in several countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait.
Free calls through TinBo
Subscribers of Smart Communications, part of the PLDT Group, can place free calls to the Philippines using the TinBo mobile application. The app provides overseas users with a Smart Virtual Number, allowing them to call Philippine landlines and mobile numbers without paying international call charges.
The service covers Filipinos in several Middle Eastern countries including:
- Bahrain
- Iran
- Iraq
- Israel
- Kuwait
- Oman
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
PLDT said the free-call access through TinBo will remain available until around mid-March, depending on the programme period.
Families in the Philippines can also call relatives in the Middle East without charge through PLDT landlines using international direct dialing during the support period.
Free calls for DITO subscribers
DITO Telecommunity has also joined the programme by enabling free calls to DITO subscribers in the Middle East. Under the arrangement, Filipinos in the Philippines can call DITO numbers abroad at no cost, regardless of whether the caller is using Globe, Smart or DITO networks.
The service applies to DITO subscribers in countries including Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
