P35 million allotted for OFWs affected by Japan quake

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has allotted some P35 million in financial and other assistance for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the deadly earthquake in Japan.

DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said each of the over 1,000 OFWs staying in areas severely devastated by the quake would be given P30,000.

“Financial assistance is forthcoming for those who have been adversely affected by the earthquake,” Cacdac said at a public briefing yesterday.

Considered severely affected are those rendered jobless or without livelihood or had lost houses due to the earthquake. Those in need of food and other basic necessities would also be entitled to assistance.

Filipino workers applying for assistance may contact the DMW through its hotline or via email.

So far, Cacdac said, the DMW has received only a few calls from quake-affected OFWs in Japan, and that there no casualties as of Jan. 4. “For me, this is a symbol of the efficient disaster management of the government of Japan,” he said.

According to Cacdac, 1,194 OFWs are staying in Toyama Prefecture and Ishikawa Prefecture, where the epicenter of the quake was located.

Most of the OFWs in the two areas, he said, are employed in the construction and manufacturing sectors.