3 OFWs hurt in Taiwan quake – DMW

MANILA, Philippines — Three overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were injured during the earthquake that rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

The Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan yesterday identified two of the OFWs as Sheila Ann Reyna and Arnold Gonzales.

Reyna suffered swollen arms when she slammed into a door during evacuation while Gonzales sustained a head injury after being hit by debris from the ceiling.

Both OFWs were taken to hospital but were eventually discharged after treatment of their minor injuries.

“A third one collapsed after the earthquake probably due to stress. The OFW is still in the hospital only for medical precautionary measures not because of major injury,” DMW officer-in-charge Hans Cacdac said.

There were no recorded fatalities or major injuries among Filipinos in Taiwan. However, the DMW continues to monitor the condition and welfare of the estimated 159,000 Filipinos, including non-OFWs, Cacdac said.

A majority of the OFWs are staying in the northern and southern part of Taiwan. The 1,400 Filipinos staying in the Hualien, the epicenter of the quake, are all accounted for.

However, he stressed that the DMW has not monitored reports of displacement from work among OFWs nor have they received requests for repatriation.

“We do not hear of any work disruptions and we hope it stays that way. But again, we stand ready to assist with our Aksyon fund for any OFW whose work will be disrupted,” he said.

There are also available shelters for Filipinos who need to be evacuated and the government is also ready to provide repatriation assistance to those who would like to return home, according to MECO deputy resident representative Alice Visperas.

She also said Filipinos who are set to visit Taiwan at this time may still do so as the damage did not affect the whole country and communication, electrical services as well as other utilities remain functional.

Meanwhile, the DMW has activated protocols for the accounting of Filipinos in the areas affected by the strong quake in Japan yesterday, particularly in Fukushima prefecture, the epicenter of the quake.

The Overseas Workers Welfare administration is also coordinating with Filipino communities and the Japanese government to provide assistance to Filipinos affected by the quake. Those needing assistance are advised to call the OWWA hotline 1348.

As of December 2023, there are 69,406 Filipinos with working visas in Japan.