DFA ready to assist Pinoys affected by California wildfires

THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is prepared to provide assistance to Filipino citizens affected by the devastating wildfires currently raging across Southern California.

DFA Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito Cruz, in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, stated that the DFA is actively working to contact Filipinos in the affected areas, many of whom are under mandatory evacuation orders. “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,” he said. (Translation: “Right now, we’ve been trying to reach our fellow Filipinos through all possible means… Many of our countrymen are under mandatory evacuation.”)

This announcement follows earlier appeals for help from Filipinos and Filipino-Americans who have lost their homes and possessions in the fires.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles has issued an advisory urging Filipinos in affected areas to contact them for assistance at (323) 528-1528. The Consulate is coordinating with local authorities and closely monitoring the situation.

The advisory specifically names the following fires and affected counties: Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, and Woodley Fire (Los Angeles County); Tyler Fire (Riverside County); and Olivas Fire (Ventura County). Filipinos in these areas are advised to heed local advisories, prepare accordingly, and follow all evacuation orders.