150 Filipinos seek help after losing homes to California wildfires

Over 150 Filipinos have sought assistance after losing their homes in the wildfires in southern California, Consul General Adelito Angelito Cruz has said.

He said the consulate general in Los Angeles was working closely with the Filipino Workers Center, which received the calls seeking help.

“And sila po ay humihingi ng tulong para may matirhan temporarily. Ginagawan naman po namin ng paraan. Marami pong evacuation centers ang naitayo ang LA County. Sigurado naman po kami na lahat po sila ay mabibigyan ng temporary housing,” Cruz said.

(They are asking for assistance in finding temporary shelter. We are already working on that. There are evacuation centers established in LA County. And I’m pretty sure they will soon be given temporary housing.)

He said everyone in evacuation centers in California has food, drinks, and other necessities. 

The massive fire has killed at least 24 individuals and forced 100,000 people to evacuate. The wildfires have also reportedly destroyed over 12,000 structures, including the homes of the rich and famous personalities.

Firefighters from seven states, Canada and Mexico have converged in Los Angeles to help extinguish the blaze.

The consulate has already offered assistance to affected Filipinos affected. 

Cruz said its assistance would only cover Filipino citizens and dual citizens.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier expressed his sympathies to Filipinos affected in California.

Meanwhile, the consulate will continue its operations despite the wildfires. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News