Gov’t must prepare for disruption from Ukraine crisis – Lacson

The government should lose no time in preparing for the possible economic repercussions, particularly fuel price increases and disruption of supply chains, caused by Russia’s “imminent” invasion of Ukraine, Sen. Panfilo Lacson said yesterday.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate committee on national defense and security, said while Ukraine is far from the Philippines, an invasion there may have adverse effects worldwide.

“We might think that Ukraine is far away, and that there is no danger for the Philippines. We are all living in a global village. An invasion of Ukraine may adversely affect the stock markets all over the world. Prices of basic commodities and fuel may increase. We need to be prepared for this, not to mention that we are still suffering from the pandemic and are far from economic recovery,” he said.

“We hope that there are contingency plans for increases in prices, disruptions in supply chains and possible repatriation of Filipinos not just in Ukraine but in neighboring countries,” he added.

Earlier reports indicated the US had escalated its warnings about a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, adding it may even take place within days.

Lacson inquired if the government is making preparations for Filipinos in Ukraine, noting the US, United Kingdom and other countries like Estonia are asking their citizens to leave Ukraine within the next 48 hours.

Citing figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), he said there are some 380 Filipinos in Ukraine.

“I would like to know what preparations are being made for them in the event that war breaks out,” he said. “What is happening in Ukraine may create instability in other potential flashpoints in the world including that of our region.”

Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero called on the DFA to prepare for humanitarian flights that will bring back Filipino nationals working in the eastern European country.

“As other countries are calling on their citizens to leave Ukraine, I urge our DFA, if they have not done so, to do the same. We should also be ready to provide free humanitarian flights for our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and repatriate them back to our country safely,” Escudero said.

The Philippine embassy in Poland, which has jurisdiction over Ukraine, is “in touch” with the Filipino community there, according to Deputy Assistant Secretary for public and cultural diplomacy Gonar Musor in a statement issued on Feb. 12. He said most of the Filipinos in Ukraine live in Kyiv and nearby areas and are “therefore located far from the eastern border near Russia.”

Musor also said OFWs “are encouraged to contact the embassy, report any untoward incident they might observe in their respective areas, and continue monitoring their Filipino friends through social media.”

At the same time, Escudero, who is seeking a Senate seat in the May 9 elections, said the DFA should likewise monitor the conditions of Filipinos living in Ukraine’s neighboring countries of Belarus and Moldova, as they may be affected if the situation worsens. The Philippine embassies in Moscow and Budapest oversee Belarus and Moldova, respectively.