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PH govt checks on status of Filipinos in CNMI
A team from the Philippine government’s Department of Foreign Affairs recently visited the Commonwealth and paid a courtesy call on the CNMI government.
The DFA representatives and Glicerio “Eli” Arago, Philippine honorary consul of the Philippines for the CNMI, met with Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres on Friday.
Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres, center, and Glicerio Arago, honorary consul of the Philippines to the CNMI, seated, second from left, meet with representatives from the Philippine government’s Department of Foreign Affairs on Capital Hill on Friday. (Joel D. Pinaroc)
Arago said the main purpose of the visit was to assess the situation of Filipinos affected by Typhoon Soudelor
“Their purpose is to see the conditions of Filipinos, especially migrant workers, at the same time check on the condition of Filipinos who are in prison,” Arago said.
Arago said the DFA team will go around Saipan for the assessment activities and will visit villages and shelters.
“So far, they are just assessing the condition, they want to see if they are OK or not,” Arago said.
The DFA will also see what kind of assistance can be extended to affected Filipino families. But Arago said this will depend on the assessment.
“The DFA is not promising anything, but that’s the main purpose of the visit—to assess and determine what kind of assistance can be given,” he said.
According to Arago, there is no specific data on the number of Filipinos affected by Typhoon Soudelor.
“We do not have the number, but we are trying to get it. We understand that there are some Filipinos still shelters,” Arago said.
He pointed out that Filipinos could still avail of assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Nutrition Assistance Program, and the American Red Cross, among others.
“There are also a lot of private organizations that are currently conducting their own assistance activities,” Arago said.
The DFA team on Friday also had a scheduled meeting with the Office of the Attorney General and the CNMI Department of Corrections.
As of the latest survey, some 10,000 Filipinos are living in the CNMI. The bulk work for local companies under CW1 visas.
