Cimatu's Mideast preparedness committee extended until June 30

MANILA, Philippines - The life of the Middle East Preparedness Committee (MEPC) headed by Ambassador Roy Cimatu has been extended yet again until the end of this month.

President Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 804 paving the way for the extension of the MEPC’s operation so that it could assist the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in helping Filipino victims of kidnapping and hijacking in Somalia.

A budget of P3 million was given to the MEPC for its operations until June 30, 2009 or unless otherwise directed by the President.

The MEPC’s operation was previously extended until March 31 to address the concerns of Filipinos caught up in ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

Created by the President in December 2002, the MEPC was tasked to prepare for the evacuation of Filipinos working in Iraq and neighboring countries in response to the planned military action by the US-led coalition against Iraq at that time.

With the end of the war in Iraq, the MEPC was tasked to coordinate the other evacuation efforts in conflict areas in the Middle East such as Lebanon.

The MEPC also provides assistance to the DFA and other government agencies concerned with OFW security, safety and protection.

It is also involved in the formulation and implementation of policies, plans and modes of coordination in areas where there is a significant presence of OFWs.

The volatile situation in Lebanon, which led to the closing of its borders, prompted the extension of the MEPC’s life last year. – Marvin Sy