Senators on Wednesday, April 3 urged the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) to provide all the necessary assistance to Filipinos affected by the magnitude 7.5 earthquake in Taiwan.

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said it is imperative for the DMW to swiftly account for every OFW in Taiwan who may have been affected by the tremor.

“The DMW must urgently ensure that the needs of every Filipino who may have been displaced or injured are promptly addressed,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

Gatchalian, likewise, urged the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to immediately act on the threat of tsunami in certain coastal areas in the country.

“The government must ensure that coastal communities under tsunami warnings are evacuated to higher grounds as soon,” he said.

Sen. Grace Poe also extended her deepest sympathies to the people of Taiwan affected by the earthquake.

“Our support also goes for the many individuals providing emergency assistance and rescue efforts on the ground.

As home to thousands of Filipinos, we hope our countrymen in the impacted areas are out of harm's way,” Poe said.

“We are confident that with the resilience and hard work of the Taiwanese people, they will recover from this tragedy and rebuild their communities anew,” she stressed.

Sen. Manuel “Lito” Lapid also urged the MECO to account for all the Filipinos in Taiwan.

"Nakaatang sa MECO ang pagtulong sa ating migrant workers para sa kanilang kapakanan, kaligtasan at promosyon ng economic and cultural relations sa Taiwan (MECO is mandated to help our migrant workers for their welfare, safety and promotion of economic and cultural relations in Taiwan),” Lapid said.

Lapid said MECO officials should ensure their welfare and safety especially of the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) based in Taiwan.

The Philippines is the third source of foreign workers for Taiwan, aside from Indonesia and Vietnam.

For his part, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III urged the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to swiftly prioritize the welfare of Filipinos who may be affected by the natural disaster.

“We must act with urgency to extend the necessary assistance and support to our OFWs and ensure their safety and well-being,” Pimentel said.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Taiwan during this difficult time and offer our unwavering support as you work to rebuild and recover. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in this tragic event,” Pimentel said.

“Having witnessed Taiwan people’s resilience and strength, I know they will overcome this challenge and emerge stronger than ever before,” he stressed.