DMW coordinating with DFA, MWOs in countries with tsunami warnings

The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) said Wednesday it is coordinating with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the appropriate Migrant Workers Offices (MWO) in countries with tsunami warnings.

In an interview on Wednesday, DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said no areas have so far been adversely affected.

“We are in close communication with our MWOs in Japan. There are two, Osaka and Tokyo… and the DFA. All of us anyway, the surrounding Pacific area might be affected also,” he said.

“We’re hoping and praying for the best, everybody is safe,” he added.

The tsunami warnings were issued by several countries worldwide following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia.

Among the countries and territories that issued warnings were Russia, Japan, Ecuador, Hawaii and California.

In the Philippines, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) promptly issued tsunami warnings in 22 areas and prompted evacuation in coastal areas.

“All concerned DILG Regional Directors must ensure that LGUs within their jurisdiction are adequately prepared for this threat. Close coordination with respective RDRRMCs is required to facilitate the immediate and widespread dissemination of this advisory,” the DILG said in its tsunami advisory.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has also placed their districts on alert.

By Wednesday afternoon, a three to four meter high tsunami was reported in parts of Kamchatka in Russia.

Japan warned their residents of tsunami waves of up to three meters.

Waves as high as 1.2 meters were later reported to have reached the Hawaiian coast, but the government noted that there were still no “waves of consequence.” — Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News