PH gov’t ready to help Filipinos affected by LA wildfires

The Philippine government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), is prepared to aid Filipinos affected by the massive wildfires in the southern part of the state of California.

“Sa ngayon, we've been trying to reach 'yung ating mga kababayan through all possible means... Marami sa ating mga kababayan ay under mandatory evacuation,” said DFA Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito Cruz in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(We’ve been trying to reach our fellow Filipinos through all possible means. A lot of them are under mandatory evacuation.)

Previously, Filipinos and Filipino-Americans affected by the wildfires appealed for help after some of them lost everything to the fire. 

Meanwhile, the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles has issued an advisory calling Filipino nationals to reach the diplomatic post for assistance. 

“The Consulate is coordinating with local authorities and closely monitoring the situation of Filipino nationals in the affected areas. Filipino nationals requiring the Consulate’s assistance may call (323) 528-1528,” the Consulate said in an advisory. 

“The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles advises the Filipino community in the areas affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles County (Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Woodley Fire), Riverside County (Tyler Fire), and Ventura County (Olivas Fire) to check local advisories, undertake necessary preparations, and adhere to evacuation orders,” the advisory added.

Cruz said that so far only three Filipino families have reached out for help from the Philippine government.

“Kakaunti lamang ang humihingi ng tulong sa amin. We are assuming na marami silang kamag-anak sa LA at doon muna sila na naninirahan... Sa Palisades, walang masyadong mga Pilipino,” he said.

(Only a few people have reached out for help. We are assuming that they stayed with their relatives in LA. There are only a few Filipinos in the Palisades.)

The DFA official said there are over three million Filipinos in the entire state of California.

According to a Reuters report, firefighters finally started gaining control over two major wildfires on the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles on Friday.

Six simultaneous wildfires have devastated Los Angeles County neighborhoods since Tuesday, have killed at least 10 people over and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures. Those totals are expected to grow.

—Ted Cordero/ VAL, GMA Integrated News