The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in coordination with the Philippine Consulate in Yangon, sent a team to Myanmar to provide assistance to Filipinos affected by the earthquake of magnitude 7.7 that occurred on March 29. The team included staff from the DMW Central Office and the Office for Migrant Workers (MWO) in Bangkok under the supervision of Undersecretary for Labor Don Albert Pangkong.
The team’s visit to Yangon and Mandalay is aimed at providing financial assistance amounting to 75,000 Filipino pesos and other forms of social support to Filipinos whose work and income were disrupted due to the earthquake. Additionally, for those who wish to return home or are seeking new employment, the team also offered services for the verification of contracts and processing of Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC).
On May 1, Labor Day, Filipino workers in Myanmar received a video message from DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and senior officials, assuring them of continued support from the government. Some Filipinos, who have already passed through Thailand, received assistance from the MWO in Bangkok, while the DMW prepared to distribute assistance to those still within the borders of Myanmar.
