DFA expects Filipinos’ repatriation requests after Myanmar earthquake

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday said the agency is expecting repatriation requests from Filipinos who are affected by the impact of the magnitude 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar. 

DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said that some Filipinos lost their jobs due to the earthquake. 

“Sa Myanmar maaaring magkakaroon dahil may mga nawalan ng trabaho. Iniimbestigahan ng embassy para bigyan ng tugon ang kanilang request,” De Vega told GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita in an interview. 

(In Myanmar, there may be some requests for repatriation because there are some who have lost their jobs. The embassy is investigating to give a response to their request.)

“Katulad ng nangyari sa Turkiye noong 2023, kapag may gustong umuwi tutulungan natin,” he added.

(Just like what happened in Turkiye in 2023, if someone wants to go home, we will help them.)

De Vega said that those will be repatriated will be transported first to Bangkok, Thailand since the airports in Myanmar are also affected by the impact of the earthquake. 

Repatriated Filipinos will undergo the government’s reintegration program in the Philippines. 

De Vega said the Philippine government will account first the Filipinos in the earthquake-hit cities Mandalaya, Naypyidaw, and Yangon. 

According to De Vega, the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) will also provide assistance to the affected Filipinos in Myanmar. 

Four Filipinos are still missing after the earthquake. 

The death toll in Myanmar due to the March 28 earthquake has already reached more than 1,700, according to a Reuters report Monday.

In a statement on Saturday, the Office of Civil Defense said that a critical inter-agency meeting was assembled to coordinate the Philippine response and deliver needed support for affected victims.

"We stand in solidarity with Myanmar during this difficult time. The Philippines is ready to respond to the urgent needs of our neighbors, and we are mobilizing resources to provide assistance as quickly as possible,” said Defense Secretary and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chairman Gilberto Teodoro Jr.—AOL, GMA Integrated News