In the wake of the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck Central Japan on Monday, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) is taking swift action to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families affected by the disaster.
DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac has mobilized the Migrant Workers Office in Osaka, instructing them to provide essential support to affected OFWs, including immediate onsite medical and financial assistance.
“We are closely monitoring the situation of OFWs, especially those in the Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures, to guarantee their safety. Also, we are ready to provide necessary medical and financial assistance to OFWs onsite,” stated Cacdac.
According to the latest data, there are 1,194 Filipinos residing in the two prefectures, with 447 in Ishikawa and 700 in Toyama. The majority of them are employed in the manufacturing, welding, and carpentry sectors.
As of today, no Filipino casualties have been reported, as confirmed by the DMW in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippine Embassy in Tokyo, and Philippine Consulate General Offices in Osaka and Nagoya.
All supervising organizations and principals have been 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 can contact the DMW-OWWA Japan Helpline at Hotline 1348 or +632-1348 (from abroad) for updates and immediate assistance. Additionally, the DMW Japan Desk is reachable through +632-86630445.
OFWs onsite are urged to contact the DMW-MWO-Osaka Hotline numbers at: +81-7022756082 and +81-7024474016, and MWO Tokyo at +81-7036300167. The Department of Migrant Workers remains committed to ensuring the well-being and safety of Filipino workers abroad during times of crisis.