By Marita Moaje | Philippine News Agency
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has extended assistance to the families of two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who died in the 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Mandalay, Myanmar on March 28.
Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac visited and personally met with the bereaved families over the weekend to convey the government’s condolences and support on behalf of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the agency said in a news release on Tuesday, April 15.
“Rest assured that, upon instructions of the President, we are taking care of the families by providing them all the assistance during their hour of utmost need,” Cacdac said.
He said that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through the Philippine Embassy in Yangon, is currently working on the repatriation of the remains of the two OFWs.
Aside from the financial assistance, the migrant workers czar said the DMW would provide post-arrival support for the grieving families once the remains are brought back to the Philippines.
Meanwhile, the DMW has reached out to other OFWs in Mandalay affected by the strong earthquake, assuring them of financial assistance through its Aksyon Fund.
The two fatalities are among the four OFWs earlier reported missing after the strong quake caused the collapse of the Sky Villa condominium, where some Filipinos reportedly reside.
The massive quake also affected Thailand, where a high-rise construction site collapsed in the capital of Bangkok. No Filipinos were reported hurt in Thailand.
Local media reported that the official death toll in Myanmar rose to 3,645 on Tuesday, with over 5,000 injured and 148 missing. (PNA)
