Phl seeks TPS from US

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has formally requested the United States to designate the country under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to allow eligible Filipinos to stay and work in the US and assist in recovery efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda.

Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) spokesman Raul Hernandez said yesterday that the request was conveyed Dec. 13 by Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Cuisia Jr. to the US Department of Homeland Security. 

The request will be evaluated first by US authorities and may take some time. If approved, eligible Filipinos can start filing their applications, which will be reviewed.

If the request is granted, the Philippines will join El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua and Honduras that were also placed under TPS after similarly being hit by natural disasters.