MANILA – No Filipino was reported dead or hurt after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Ishikawa Prefecture on New Year’s Day.
This was confirmed by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega in a text message to the media.
According to De Vega, there are approximately 1,300 Fiipinos in Ishikawa Prefecture, the epicentre of the earthquake.
Upon contacting the Philippine Consulate in Nagoya, De Vega said that the DFA-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) has contacted the Filipino Community and received reports that “there are no Filipino casualty at this time.”
“Following established emergency procedures, local communities are following prefectural government announcements to keep safe in higher ground for the moment. Avoid bridges and roads as some have sustained damage,” DFA-OUMWA reminded Filipinos in the area.
The Philippine Consulate in Nagoya is also closely monitoring developments and will provide updates once available.
“Nagoya PCG has posted necessary advisory to the FilCom and is monitoring developments Sir,” the Consulate General texted and sent by De Vega to the media.
Meanwhile, De Vega said that Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is also monitoring Ishikawa Prefecture and making sure that all precautionary steps are being taken to ensure the safety of all Filipinos in the area.
“OWWA welfare officers are also monitoring. Ishikawa prefecture and coastal areas of Toyama, Fukui and Hyoga were all given tsunami warnings. All precautionary steps for safety are all being taken,” OWWA Administrator Arnel Ignacio said.
