As early as December 2002, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo became concerned of the safety and welfare of Filipino workers in the Middle East in case war breaks out in the area.

To formulate policies and develop appropriate responses to critical developments in the area, President Arroyo issued an executive order creating the Presidential Middle East Preparedness Committee (PMEPC).
The committee, shall among others, undertake continuing assessment and update preparedness plans for the safety and welfare of some 1.4 million OFWs in the Middle East.

Named head of the presidential committee is former AFP Chief of Staff General Roy Cimatu with rank of Special Ambassador to the Middle East.
The other members of the committee are Ambassador Ching Escaler, Ambassador Leonides Caday, DFA Assistant Secretary Reynaldo Parungao, DOLE Director Nicon Fameronag, and POEA Director Ramon Tionloc.

Director Fameronag of Concepcion, Romblon was at the PMEPC operations center in Kuwait two days before the war on Iraq broke out.