MANILA — The Philippine government is rushing emergency support to its citizens in Myanmar following a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck the region on March 28, allocating $100,000 in immediate assistance for overseas Filipino workers.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) confirmed Monday that the emergency funds will cover medical support, potential relocation, and job assistance for affected workers. Of the 128 registered Filipinos in Myanmar, four remain unaccounted for, with three others’ conditions still being verified.
Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega told reporters that the Philippine Embassy in Yangon is actively coordinating with local authorities to locate missing individuals, potentially trapped in a collapsed condominium.
“We are doing everything possible to locate and support our fellow Filipinos,” de Vega said. He urged families of missing workers to contact the DFA or embassy hotline.
In a swift humanitarian response, the Philippines will deploy a specialized team of doctors and earthquake recovery experts to Myanmar on Tuesday. The team, previously deployed to Turkey after its February 2023 earthquake, will assist in broader rescue efforts.
Local reports indicate the earthquake has claimed at least 1,700 lives, injured 3,400, and left nearly 300 people missing.
Relatives of affected workers can seek information through the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration hotline or its dedicated Facebook page.
The Philippine government’s rapid mobilization underscores its commitment to protecting overseas workers in crisis zones.
