FAMILY OF PINAY WHO DIED IN HONG KONG RESIDENTIAL FIRE TO RECEIVE AROUND P6M COMPENSATION

THE family of a  Filipino domestic helper who perished in the residential fire in Tai Po, Hong Kong is set to receive HKD $800,000 or about P5.85 million in compensation from the Hong Kong government.

Hong Kong Labour and Welfare Secretary Chris Sun announced the package in a joint press conference with Philippine Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, who flew to Hong Kong Tuesday to personally meet his counterpart and the affected Filipino workers.

Maryan Pascual Esteban, a native of Jones, Isabela, was among the 10 foreign domestic helpers confirmed dead in the blaze.

The fire, which broke out at the Wu Court residential complex in Hong Kong, is considered one of the deadliest residential fires in recent years.

Sun outlined the assistance measures as he extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for a speedy recovery to the injured.

“We are truly grateful to their selflessness and heroic acts during the fire, as many of them were taking care of the elderly, children, and babies at the time,” Sun said.

The financial support includes:

• For deceased domestic workers: A combination of statutory compensation and additional one-off assistance totaling approximately HK$800,000 (around P5,000,000). This includes statutory compensation of over HK$500,000, a one-off financial assistance of HK$200,000, and another HK$50,000 in support.
• For injured workers: One-off financial assistance ranging from HK$50,000 to HK$100,000, depending on the duration of their hospital stay.
• For survivors: HK$20,000 each, along with an Octopus card preloaded with HK$2,000 for immediate daily expenses.

The Hong Kong Labour Department confirmed that a total of 235 domestic workers were at the site of the fire. Among them, 10 died, three were injured, 192 were safe, and 30 remain unaccounted for.

Sun assured that the government is working closely with foreign consulates to facilitate the repatriation of Esteban’s remains and provide additional assistance to workers from overseas, including help with restoring lost personal documents.

Cacdac and OWWA Administrator PY Caunan personally visited Esteban’s son in Cainta, Rizal, to extend condolences and immediate assistance.

He also confirmed complementary financial support, trauma counseling for the other OFW survivors.

“For every crisis there’s always a chance to strengthen our partnership and our coordinated relations,” Cacdac said.

Cacdac added that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also asked  them to help the families back home.

“I also did mention to the good Secretary that we are providing school assistance, at least to the children of the one who is injured and the child of the deceased,” he added.