The Department of Migrant Workers announced on Thursday that they will be assisting overseas Filipino workers affected by the magnitude 7.6 earthquake that hit Central Japan on New Year's Day.

According to DMW Officer-in-Charge Hans Leo Cacdac, he instructed the Migrant Workers in Osaka to provide essential aid such as medical care and financial assistance onsite for OFWs dealing with the aftermath of the earthquake which has killed at least 77 people, severed roads, and damaged infrastructures.

"We are closely monitoring the situation of OFWs, especially those who are in the Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures to guarantee their safety. Also, we are ready to provide necessary medical and financial assistance to OFWs onsite," Cacdac said in a public briefing on Thursday.

According to DMW's data, about 1,194 Filipinos are residing in the Ishikawa and Toyama Prefectures. Most of the OFWs in the affected area are employed in the manufacturing, welding, and carpentry sectors.

There were no Filipino casualties in the earthquake, but 35 Filipinos in Japan were evacuated from their homes due to the threat of a possible tsunami.

Cacdac confirmed that the DMW has been receiving calls from OFWs seeking assistance.

"The financial aid is for those whose houses were damaged or destroyed, those who stopped working, or those who need support in terms of food and basic necessities. We will give these to them," Cacdac said.

The DMW said supervising organizations and principals were directed to monitor the safety of their deployed OFWs and report their condition to MWO-Osaka.