The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is extending assistance to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families affected by the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that hit Central Japan on Monday.
DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac has instructed Migrant Workers Office in Osaka to provide all the necessary support to affected OFWs, including immediate medical and financial assistance onsite.
“We are closely monitoring the situation of OFWs, especially those who are in the Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures to guarantee their safety. Also, we are ready to provide necessary medical and financial assistance to OFWs onsite,” Cacdac said.
There are 1,194 Filipinos living in the two prefectures of which 447 are in Ishikawa and 700 in Toyama. Majority of them are working in the manufacturing, welding and carpentry sectors.
As of today, January 4, 2024, there are no Filipino casualties have been reported in the latest update received by the department in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Embassy in Tokyo and Philippine Consulate General Office in Osaka and Nagoya.
Meanwhile, all supervising organizations and principals are directed to monitor the safety of their deployed OFWs and report their conditions to MWO-Osaka for necessary assistance and support.
OFWs in Japan and their families may contact the DMW-OWWA Japan Helpline at Hotline 1348 or +632-1348 (from abroad) for any updates and immediate assistance. The DMW Japan Desk may also be reached through +632-86630445.
OFWs onsite may also contact the DMW-MWO-Osaka Hotline numbers at: +81-7022756082 and +81-7024474016 and MWO Tokyo at +81-7036300167.