MANILA Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) head Silvestre Bello III on Thursday assured the families of three Filipino workers who died in a fire in a food factory fire that they will receive benefits not only from the Philippine government but also from Taiwan.

This as Bello expressed condolences to the families of Renato Larua, 30, of Cavite; Nancy Revilla of Marinduque and Aroma Miranda Tarlac.

“My heart goes out to them in their hour of extreme sorrow,” said Bello, a former legislator and ex-Labor Secretary, in a statement.

The three were killed in a fire that broke out at the second floor of Lian-Hwa Foods Corporation in Changhua county, central part of Taiwan, at about 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

Five other Filipino workers—Sheila May Abas of Negros Occidental, Jessie Boy Samson, Maricris Fernando of La Union, Rodel Uttao and Santiago Suba Jr. have been declared out of danger but are still under observation in different hospitals.

Bello said the families of all the fatalities and the injured have been informed.

“MECO-ATN and MWO is in close coordination with police authorities regarding the incident and investigation, and the swift repatriation of the remains of those died,” Bello said.

In addition, he said MECO will ask the employer to release the benefits and other assistance due to the victims under the existing laws of Taiwan which includes: 1) survivor benefits under the labor insurance of law of Taiwan and death benefits.

The victims are also entitled to benefits from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) that include P200,000 death benefit; P20,000 burial benefit; education and livelihood assistance and training for members of the families; as well as compulsory insurance.

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Ryan Ponce Pacpaco