Pinay OFW killed in HK fire—consulate

The Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has confirmed the death of an overseas Filipino worker in the Nov. 26 fire that struck Tai Po district.

In an official advisory, the consulate did not identify the victim, but described her as someone who "left her home to seek better opportunities abroad and had made numerous sacrifices to support her family."

“The Consulate General extends our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and loved ones at this trying time,” the statement read.

No further details were also given on the circumstances that led to her death.

In a separate advisory, the Philippine Consulate also confirmed that 79 Filipinos have been confirmed safe and accounted for, with 12 left for verification.

Condolences

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac visited the victim's family on Saturday night and conveyed President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr's condolences.

"Tonight, as we received the sad news of our first and hopefully last OFW fatality in the fire in Tai Po, Hongkong, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Administrator PY Caunan and I visited the family of our slain OFW and conveyed the President’s condolences and directive to provide fullest assistance," Cacdac said.

"We assured the 10-year-old son of our dear OFW that her mother lives in his heart forever, and would want nothing more than have him finish his studies," he added.

The child wants to be a firefighter, Cacdac said.

"When asked what he wants to be when he grows up, he said 'Firefighter po para wala na pong mamatay sa sunog,' he added.

"May the soul of our dearly departed OFW, a heroine who died while taking care of her employer’s five-year-old daughter, rest in God’s eternal embrace," the DMW secretary said.

Injured

Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) said one Filipina domestic worker is in critical condition, though stable and responding to medical treatment, after she was caught in the fire after rescuing a three-month-old baby.

OWWA identified the Filipina as Rhodora Alcaraz who recently arrived in Hong Kong.

"Mula sa sunog na tumama sa Wang Fuk Court sa Tai Po noong Nobyembre 26, lumitaw ang isang kwento ng kabayanihan. Si Rhodora Alcaraz, isang bagong dating na domestic worker, ay nagligtas ng isang tatlong buwang sanggol sa gitna ng apoy at makapal na usok. Sa halip na tumakas, niyakap niya ang sanggol upang protektahan ito at nailigtas ang buhay ng bata," OWWA said.

Representatives from OWWA Hong Kong, Philippine Consulate General, DMW, and Migrant Workers Office visited her at the hospital.

The OWWA Regional Office also visited her family in the Philippines to assure them of assistance.

OWWA said Alcaraz is a modern-day hero, and asked the public to pray for her recovery. —MCG/KG, GMA Integrated News