Filipinos affected by Hokkaido quake get help: DFA

FILE: Sapporo City and Hokkaido University (File Photo By 欅 (Keyaki) 06:58, 18 October 2009 (UTC) – Own work 06:58, 18 October 2009 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0)

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday said the Philippine embassy in Japan is assisting a second group of Filipino tourists who were in Sapporo when the magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Hokkaido on Thursday.

The 40 Filipino tourists reached out and told the Philippine embassy in Tokyo that they are all safe.

In an update, DFA Assistant Secretary Elmer Cato said the 40 Filipinos and the other group of 26 tourists who earlier sought assistance are being assisted in rebooking their flights back to the Philippines.

On Thursday, the 26-member tour group from the Philippines was initially reported trapped inside their hotel in Sapporo.

Ambassador to Japan Jose C. Laurel informed Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano later that night that the members of the group are all safe and accounted for.

The embassy continues to monitor the condition of the 1,800 members of the Filipino community in Sapporo and other areas in Hokkaido that were affected by the earthquake even as authorities confirmed there were no Filipinos among the injured.

Laurel said electricity has been restored in Sapporo and convenience stores and key establishments have reopened. Meanwhile, the Chitose Airport is expected to reopen on Saturday.

Laurel reiterated that the embassy is ready to provide assistance to affected Filipinos if needed.

Filipinos affected by the earthquake, who may need assistance, may contact the embassy at: +8180 4928 7979.

Next of kin in the Philippines may contact the Office of Migrant Workers Affairs at (+632) 834-4996 and oumwa@dfa.gov.ph during office hours and DFA Action Center +632 834-3333 or 834-4997 after office hours.