THE Taiwan Economic Cooperation Office (Teco) on Thursday assured it would extend financial help to the family of a Filipino fatality of a recent earthquake in Taiwan that killed at least four persons, with 145 missing and 225 injured.
Teco said the family of the late Melody Albano Castro, who perished in the 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Hualien, Taiwan, on February 6, will receive a total of NTD$1.79 million, or P2.8 million, from the Taiwan government’s consolation, compensation, insurance claims and from Taiwanese voluntary donations.
“Apart from the P2.8 million, the Taiwanese community in the Philippines has also raised donation of about P250,000 for Castro’s family,” Teco said. “The donated funds will be handed over to the bereaved family in due course.”
On Wednesday Taiwan Representative in the Philippines, Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, in conjunction with the representatives of the Manila Economic Cooperation Office and the Overseas Workers’ Welfare Administration (OWWA), witnessed the return of the remains of Castro at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
From the airport, she will be brought to her hometown in Tuguegarao City on Thursday.
On behalf of the Taiwan Government, Representative Gary Lin also extended his sincere condolences and deep sympathy to Melody’s family.
“May Melody’s soul rest in peace and her family will be able to move on with their normal life,” Lin prayed.
The powerful earthquake struck Taiwan just before midnight on February 6, damaging buildings in the city of Hualien, killing four people and leaving an additional 145 missing, according to the authorities.
The 6.4-magnitude quake was recorded at 11:50 p.m. and was centered about 14 miles northeast of Hualien, a city of 110,000 on Taiwan’s east coast, the United States Geological Survey reported.