De Vega

DFA: Contingency plan ready for 200K OFWs in Taiwan

August 11, 2022 Cristina Lee-Pisco 670 views

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday assured that a contingency plan is in place to ensure the safety of about 200,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Taiwan.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Eduardo Jose de Vega said the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) would implement the contingency measures should the situation calls for it.

“The truth is, there are always contingency plans in place, not just in China, or the Cross-Strait, but anywhere in the world. They have contingency plans in place for any kind of disaster,” he said.

“Of course, there is the Manila Economic Cultural Office – it’s not a DFA office, we don’t have diplomats there. They respond to the Office of the President – but similar to our missions in mainland China and the rest of the world, they are, in fact, in touch with employers, with local companies, and Filipino community leaders to implement strategic plans in case they are necessary,” de Vega added.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army announced it would continue its security patrol in the Taiwan Strait to “defend China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” but the live-fire military drills around Taiwan has ended, saying they have completed their tasks.

The exercises began on August 2, following the official visit of United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

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