AFTERMATH. Large cracks are seen on the ground in Wajima, Ishikawa Prefecture, on Monday (Jan. 1, 2024), after a strong earthquake rocked a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast in central Japan. The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo said assistance is ready for affected Filipinos. (Kyodo photo)
MANILA – The Philippine Embassy in Tokyo said assistance is ready for Filipinos affected by the massive earthquake that rocked central Japan on Jan. 1.
“Our assistance-to-nationals unit is active and the migrant workers office is monitoring the situation of our Filipinos there,” Philippine Ambassador to Japan Mylene Albano said in a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview on Tuesday.
Albano assured that the Embassy and Consulates are in constant communication with Filipino communities in the most affected prefectures.
The envoy said at least 35 Filipinos were earlier reported to have evacuated in Ishikawa when tsunami warnings were raised in the prefecture.
READ: No Filipino among casualties in deadly Japan quake
The warnings have since been lifted but the envoy said the Japanese government is still assessing the extent of damage the earthquake caused in the area.
“They are continuing to coordinate with the local government unit to know the extent of damage to the properties in the area and the possible harms that have befallen the residents,” she said.
US aid
President Joe Biden offered US support for Japan in the wake of powerful earthquakes on Monday which left four people dead.
"My administration is in touch with Japanese officials, and the United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance for the Japanese people," Biden said in a statement.
"As close Allies, the United States and Japan share a deep bond of friendship that unites our people. Our thoughts are with the Japanese people during this difficult time," he added.
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.6 rocked a wide area on the Sea of Japan coast Monday, killing at least four people, followed by a series of smaller quakes.
Many houses collapsed and railway services were temporarily suspended in some areas of Japan.
Prime Minister Fumio Kishida called on the public to be alert for more powerful tremors, while authorities urged residents living near the coasts to evacuate to safer areas.
The quake also triggered a tsunami alert, but authorities downgraded it hours later, the Kyodo news agency reported.
Solidarity
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD), meanwhile, said it is monitoring the situation in Japan and will make the necessary arrangements to extend assistance to the quake-hit nation.
"Relative to the pronouncement of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos on the offer to assist in the response operations in Japan, alongside other government agencies, the OCD is on standby. We will continue to monitor the situation and make necessary arrangements for the possible support that we can extend," OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, said in a statement.
He added that the recent earthquake is a reminder to all Filipinos to participate in efforts to mitigate the effects of natural disasters.
Nepomuceno also said collective efforts on disaster prevention and preparedness are essential in building a safe and resilient nation.
"Again, we extend our sympathies to the Japanese government, one of our closest partners in disaster risk reduction and management, rest assured that the OCD is willing to extend assistance to support the ongoing response operations," the OCD chief stressed. (with report from Priam Nepomuceno and Anadolu/PNA)
