DITO offers free calls to help Filipinos reconnect with families in Middle East crisis

As tensions continue to affect parts of the Middle East, DITO Telecommunity has rolled out a temporary communication assistance program allowing Filipinos in the region to stay in touch with their families back home.

The telco announced that it will provide free incoming calls for DITO subscribers roaming in several Middle Eastern countries, supporting broader government efforts to ensure overseas Filipinos remain connected and informed during the crisis.

“Filipinos are connected not only by family, but by technology,” said Ernesto R. Alberto, President and Chief Executive Officer of DITO Telecommunity. “We stand with the Philippine government in supporting and protecting our kababayans abroad. DITO remains committed to weaving Filipino communities together wherever they may be through reliable connectivity.”

Under the program, DITO subscribers roaming in select Middle East countries will receive a one-time allocation of up to five minutes of free incoming calls from DITO numbers in the Philippines. The assistance will be available from March 9 to March 13, 2026, after which standard roaming call rates will apply.

The coverage includes Filipinos currently located in Bahrain, Kuwait, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Lebanon, areas where many overseas Filipino workers are based.

DITO said the initiative aims to help families maintain communication during a period of uncertainty, especially as many overseas Filipinos rely on mobile connectivity to coordinate with relatives and monitor developments affecting their safety.

“Moments like these remind us that access to communication and information should never be out of reach,” said Adel Tamano, Chief Commercial Officer of DITO Telecommunity. “At DITO, we believe connectivity is essential—especially when it allows families to check on one another and stay safe.”

The move highlights how telecommunications networks are increasingly serving as critical lifelines during international crises, particularly for the Philippines, where millions of families depend on overseas workers and digital connectivity to maintain contact across borders.