The wildfires in Los Angeles, California, have displaced around 200 Filipinos in the United States, according to the Philippine consulate in Los Angeles.
Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz reported that the number of affected Filipinos has risen to 191, and this number may increase further in the coming days.
“Sa ngayon po ang huling tala namin ay umabot na ng 191 dahil may humingi na pong tulong na 12 pamilya at inaasahan po namin na ito’y tataas pa po sa darating na mga araw,” Cruz said.
Cruz assured that the Filipinos affected by the wildfires are safe and are currently staying in evacuation centers.
“Karamihan sa ating mga kababayan ay nasa iba’t ibang evacuation centers all over LA county. Lahat naman po sila ay naaalagaan dahil bumubuhos po ang pagdating ng pagkain at iba’t ibang mga essential requirements nila. So sila po’y safe at alagang alaga,” he said.
He also assured that officials in LA will verify whether the affected Filipinos have housing insurance.
The number of fatalities from the wildfires has increased from 16 to 24, though it has not yet been determined if any of the victims were Filipinos.
“Hindi pa makapagbigay ng pahayag ang mga LA county coroner’s office sapagkat natupok po ang mga bangkay at kakailanganin pa ng mga DNA tests. Aabutin daw ng mga ilang linggo bago makapag-release sila ng opisyal na listahan,” the consul general said.
Meanwhile, back in the Philippines, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has extended his sympathies to the Filipinos affected by the disaster.