This exploratory study focuses on the Philippine government’s response to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress, especially in the Middle East using social media platforms. It examines the level of social media adoption by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in protecting Filipino nationals abroad. The popularity of social networking sites among Filipinos, including DFA officials and staff, played a vital role in influencing the institution’s move toward social media adoption. Key informant interviews were conducted with 10 officials, case officers, and staff at the DFA home office and Foreign Service Posts in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from June to July 2019. While Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be effective tools for speedy communication between the DFA and OFWs, the DFA faces several challenges such as budgetary constraints, lack of human resources with ICT skills, and verifying reports, among others. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the indispensable role of social media platforms in communicating with OFWs and in extending assistance to those in distress. Hence, the DFA may consider the formulation of an agency-wide social media strategy and collaboration with other migration authorities on social media-anchored projects.

这项探索性研究的重点是菲律宾政府对处于困境中的海外菲律宾工人 (OFW) 的反应，尤其是在中东使用社交媒体平台的情况。它审查了外交部 (DFA) 在保护海外菲律宾国民方面采用社交媒体的程度。社交网站在菲律宾人（包括 DFA 官员和工作人员）中的流行在影响该机构采用社交媒体方面发挥了至关重要的作用。2019 年 6 月至 7 月，对科威特、沙特阿拉伯和阿拉伯联合酋长国 (UAE) 的 DFA 内政部和外交部的 10 名官员、案件官员和工作人员进行了关键线人访谈。而 Facebook、Instagram 和 Twitter可以成为 DFA 和 OFW 之间快速沟通的有效工具，DFA 面临着若干挑战，例如预算限制、缺乏具备 ICT 技能的人力资源以及验证报告等。COVID-19 大流行表明，社交媒体平台在与 OFW 沟通和向遇险者提供援助方面发挥着不可或缺的作用。因此，DFA 可能会考虑制定机构范围的社交媒体战略，并与其他移民当局就社交媒体锚定项目进行合作。