The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) on Saturday said it is ready to assist and repatriate thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan should tension against China further escalate.
DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the Philippine government is well prepared to evacuate Filipinos in Taiwan should tension between China and Taiwan worsens, following China’s continued aggression near Taiwan territory.
Based on the current data from the DMW, there are around 200,000 OFWs in Taiwan.
Cacdac said the government is ready with measures in protecting or even repatriating Filipinos in Taiwan in the event of armed conflict in the area.
“We have always coordinated ourselves with the proper government agencies,” Cacdac said.
“Rest assured that the DMW, together with other government agencies, are prepared to assist our OFWs in Taiwan and there is already a plan on the manner by which they will be transported,” Cacdac said.
However, Cacdac declined to reveal the evacuation plan, but said “we are ready, we stand ready, we have a contingency plan, specifically in that part of the world.”
The Migrant Workers chief said the Philippine government has identified “convergence points” as to where Filipinos in Taiwan will be secured to safety for their eventual repatriation.