DMW: 150 Pinoys affected by LA wildfires getting help from PH gov't

At least 150 Filipinos affected by the massive wildfires in Los Angeles, California have been receiving assistance from the Philippine government amid the ongoing tragedy, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said.

In a statement Saturday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the 150 Filipinos were getting aid through the Philippine Consulate in LA, with the support of the department's Migrant Workers Office (MWO) there.

Cacdac said these Filipinos are permanent residents or green card holders in Los Angeles and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the DMW.

"We are under a one-country team approach sa Consulado natin sa LA (We are under a one-country team approach with our Consulate in LA), and we fully support the efforts of our Consul General there, and our Migrant Workers Office is providing support to relief operations formed by the Consulate," Cacdac said.

The DMW assured that it was monitoring the situation through its MWO and that it "stands ready in extending its full support to Filipinos" devastated by the wildfires.

Coordination between the MWO and the Filipino community in Los Angeles is ongoing "to ensure a swift and coordinated response if help is needed," the DMW said.

Other Filipinos who may be affected by the windstorms and wildfires in California were encouraged to get in touch with the MWO in Los Angeles for immediate assistance through its contact details on the Facebook post below:

Earlier this week, US authorities reported that over 6.5 million people were under critical fire threat as the wildfire death toll reached 25. The fires have destroyed more than 12,000 homes and other structures, and forced almost 200,000 individuals from their homes.

Firefighters had reported that the winds of 30 to 40 mph and low humidity have failed to create any appreciable rain in the region. A new fire spanning over 30 acres (12 hectares) was also recently reported to have started at the San Bernardino County east of Los Angeles.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles earlier announced that it would conduct emergency operations on the last two Saturdays of January to help Filipinos who lost their identification and travel documents amid the wildfires.

In the midst of the tragedy, some Filipinos and Filipino-Americans have shown that the "bayanihan" spirit was alive as they have united to help those affected by the fires in Los Angeles. — VDV, GMA Integrated News