No Filipino casualties in Taiwan quake, says DMW

This photo taken by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on April 3, 2024 shows emergency workers assisting a survivor after he was rescued from a damaged building in New Taipei City, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan’s east. A major 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan’s east on the morning of April 3, prompting tsunami warnings for the self-ruled island as well as parts of southern Japan and the Philippines. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / Taiwan OUT – China OUT – Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

MANILA, Philippines — No Filipinos have so far been reported killed or injured after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit Taiwan’s east coast on Wednesday morning, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and Department of Foreign Affairs.

“So far, the report [we received] is that there are no reported injuries or fatalities among our OFWs,” said DMW officer in charge Hans Cacdac.

He added that there were around 1,400 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Hualien County, the quake epicenter.

READ: Seven dead, hundreds injured in most powerful Taiwan quake in 25 years

No Filipinos have likewise been reported to have been “severely affected or trapped” in damaged buildings.

“We are praying very hard that it stays that way and we are also praying very hard for others affected by the earthquake,” Cacdac said.

24/7 help desk

The DMW, in the meantime, has set up a 24/7 help desk for any request for assistance from OFWs and their family members in the Philippines.

The Taiwan hotlines are +886932218057 (Taipei); +886988976596 (Kaohsiung); and +886966537732 (Taichung). In the Philippines, the hotlines are 85223663 or +639190673975.

The DMW said its migrant workers offices in Taiwan have also reached out to Filipino communities there, as well as employers and trade associations, “to ascertain the safety and status of Taiwan-based OFWs.”

150,666 OFWs

The Taiwan Ministry of Labor said there were 159,480 Filipinos in Taiwan, of whom 150,666 were OFWs.

In a post on X, President Marcos said the government was ready to “assist and support” Filipinos in Taiwan as he also extended his sympathies to Taiwanese quake victims.

“Our hearts are with the people of Taiwan as they endure the aftermath of today’s powerful earthquake,” he said.

He added that the DMW was “diligently ensuring the safety of the 159,480 Filipinos currently residing in Taiwan.”

Based on initial reports, four people were killed and 57 others were hurt in the tremor, which caused several buildings to collapse due to damage.

The Philippines does not maintain a diplomatic post in Taiwan under the One-China Policy.

READ: Major Taiwan earthquake triggers tsunami warnings across region

Tsunami warning in Batanes

In the northernmost province of Batanes, boat trips and classes in at least five towns were suspended after the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) issued a tsunami warning following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in Taiwan.

But the suspension of sea travel, which covered the towns of Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan and Sabtang, lasted only until 11 a.m. after Phivolcs canceled the tsunami warning it had raised over the Batanes Group of Islands and the provinces of Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Isabela.

Afternoon classes, however, remained suspended.