DMW ready to assist quake-affected OFWs in Taiwan

Migrant Workers Secretary Susan Ople (INQUIRER.net file photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)  is prepared to provide aid to over 147,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and their families who were affected by the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan on Sunday afternoon.

No casualties among the Filipino community have so far been recorded following the powerful temblor.

But in a statement issued on Monday, Migrant Workers Secretary Susan “Toots” Ople vowed to still extend support to Filipinos in Taiwan, especially those in Taitung country,  the epicenter of the earthquake.

She further noted that no damage to OFW work sites or dormitories had been observed, but tremors and aftershocks in the area persisted.

Ople, who is currently in the United States as part of the official delegation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., said she had sent directives to the Philippine Overseas Labor Office and other workforce authorities in Taiwan to relay to her frequent updates about the situation.

She urged OFWs to adhere to the orders given by the Taiwan Manpower Agencies and other relevant government bodies and maintain contact with the Philippine government and the Filipino community representatives.

—LYKA FARILLON (INQUIRER.net INTERN)

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