Roughly 50 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Thailand have asked the Philippine government for help as heavy flooding forced the country into an emergency, and their cases are now being tracked by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
The appeals came in through the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Bangkok, where staff are in touch with each worker to find out what they need first.
“May mga 50 OFWs na humingi ng tulong sa atin. Sa tamang panahon, we will provide the necessary assistance they need,” Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said.
Early reports reaching Manila show that some of those affected have lost electricity and are having a hard time getting food and drinking water.
Other Filipinos who need help can call the DMW at 1348 within the National Capital Region, 02 1348 from other parts of the Philippines, or +63 1 348 from abroad. MWO Bangkok can also be reached through its Facebook page or at +66 83 137 6167 on Line, WhatsApp, and Viber.
The DMW is putting together food and water supplies for the workers, and cash aid is being prepared for those who qualify. Cacdac said none of it will be sent until the effort is coordinated with Thai authorities, so as not to interfere with their emergency operations.
“On top of the tulong ng Thai government, we stand ready to help them. Papasok tayo sa angkop na panahon. Ayaw natin maging abala sa efforts ng Thai government, pero kapag na-coordinate na, we will provide the necessary assistance,” he said.
