Filipino teachers in Maui safe after wildfires, says DFA

The 50 Filipino teachers who were in Maui, Hawaii under an exchange program are safe following the massive wildfires that hit the island, an official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Tuesday.

“Meron tayong alam na singkwenta na guro na may J-1 visa doon sa Maui, pero nako-contact na sila. They are safe,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(We know of fifty teachers in Maui under J-1 visas, but we have contacted them. They are safe.)

Last week, Dde Vega said at least 50 Filipino teachers in Maui were being located by the Philippine Consulate amid the wildfires that erupted in Lahaina town in Maui.

These teachers have J-1 visas which are granted to foreigners in the work-and-study-based exchange and visitor programs of the United States.

Three of them were based in Lahaina, but were not affected by the wildfires, according to the DFA official.

Four Filipino-Americans were already confirmed dead by authorities due to the catastrophe.

Recently identified was Rodolfo Rocutan, 76 years old, from Ilocos.

Other fatalities were Conchita Sagudang and her son Danilo, who were both from Abra; and Alfredo Galinato who was a naturalized US citizen originally from Ilocos.

Over 800 people are still missing following the Maui wildfires. — Giselle Ombay/RSJ, GMA Integrated News