Those who cannot pay their passage out may hitch a ride on a Philippine Air Force C-130 transport, should the Japanese government give clearance on the Aquino administration’s offer to send a search and rescue mission to Japan.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said that the Philippine Embassy in Tokyo was prepared to provide assistance to Filipino quake victims who have no means to evacuate or even survive.

He said the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Budget and Management would look into ways of providing financial assistance to them.

In a statement issued later Wednesday, the foreign office said that “if as determined by Japanese officials the relocation and repatriation (of Filipinos) become necessary, the Philippine government will defray the costs to undertake the required measures to either relocate or repatriate Filipinos from the radiation-affected areas.”

C-130

“Right now we are still on Alert Level 2 … We encourage those who have the means to come home, if they see the need to come home, to go back to the Philippines on their own,” Lacierda told reporters.

“For those who would wish to leave Japan right now but have no means, there is the C-130, which will go there and will be used to bring home Filipinos, who would wish to transfer back home to the Philippines,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda, however, said that the plan to send the government aircraft would be subject to the consent of the Japanese government.

Filipinos in Japan, he said, are already being accounted for.

Lacierda said Filipinos, who were left homeless following the disasters, could expect assistance from the embassy in Tokyo.

Embassy staff

“[Foreign Secretary Albert] del Rosario said the Philippine Embassy is a home for every Filipino. So if they need shelter, they can expect help from our embassy in Japan,” Lacierda said.

Lacierda also denied reports that Ambassador Manolo Lopez, fearing radiation from nuclear damaged plants, had asked that the embassy staff in Tokyo be sent home.

He said that Del Rosario had directed Lopez and the embassy staff to remain where they are “without any concerns for their own safety.”

“So they will stay there to address all the concerns of the Filipinos,” Lacierda said. “Our resources are limited. As much as we’d like to help… it’s important to get these clearances. I’m sure these will be addressed.”

OWWA funds

Lacierda said the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) still had enough left from its P13-billion fund for migrant workers to fund repatriation efforts in Japan.

“I’m sure the President can always direct the Department of Budget and Management to make sure there will be funds available for repatriation if necessary,” Lacierda said.

Norman Bordadora, Phil. Daily Inquirer