The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles confirmed that no Filipinos have been reported among the fatalities of the Southern California wildfires, which have claimed at least 24 lives as of Monday, according to the latest data from Agence France-Presse.
Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz stated that over 150 Filipinos have sought assistance from the consulate after being displaced or evacuated due to the fires. Many of these individuals are currently staying in evacuation centers.
“Our colleagues at the Pilipino Workers’ Center have helped us address the needs of more than 150 of our kababayans. They are among the nearly 100,000 residents affected by mandatory evacuations,” Cruz said during an interview on Radyo 630.
While no requests for repatriation have been made, Cruz clarified that most of those affected are immigrants or dual citizens. He noted that assistance from the Philippine government is extended only to those who remain Filipino citizens, as legal limitations apply to those who have acquired US citizenship.
The consul general assured that displaced Filipinos are receiving food, medicine, and other essentials through local organizations and volunteers. Additionally, Filipino-American groups are stepping up to help evacuees secure jobs as they rebuild their lives.
