SEN. Panfilo Lacson yesterday asked government to prepare safety nets for Filipinos in case of an economic fallout due to Russia’s “imminent” invasion of Ukraine.
Lacson, presidential candidate and chair Senate committee on national defense and security, said the looming invasion by Russia of Ukraine 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,” Lacson said in a statement.
“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.
The US and its allies have warned that the Russian military, which has 100,000 troops massed near Ukraine, could invade at any moment. Moscow has dismissed the warnings as “hysteria.” On Saturday in the US, President Joe Biden told Russia’s Vladimir Putin that the West would respond decisively to any invasion of Ukraine.
Lacson asked if the government is making preparations for Filipinos in Ukraine, noting that the United States, United Kingdom and other countries like Estonia are asking their citizens to leave Ukraine within the next 48 hours.
He said there are some 380 Filipinos in Ukraine, citing figures from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
“I would like to know what preparations are being made for them in the event that war breaks out. What is happening in Ukraine may create instability in other potential flashpoints in the world including that of our Region,” he added.