Image by DigitalGlobe-ImageryStatement of the Department of Foreign Affairs:
On the widening of exclusion zone around the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear reactor after theadjustment of the crisis level from 5 to 7, and efforts to secure the safety of Filipinos in Japan
[Released on April 12, 2011]
According to the report of the Philippine Ambassador to Japan Manuel Lopez, the Japanese Government has today decided to adjust the crisis level of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident from 5 to 7 as a result of the widespread accumulation of radiation leaks.
Based on our understanding at the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Japanese Government has called for an evacuation within one month of people in specified areas within an estimated 50-kilometer radius of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant who may have been exposed to high and accumulated doses of radiation.
With this information and upon instruction of the President, we are initiating action to repatriate on a mandatory basis Filipinos who are within the 50-kilometer radius of the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. As a precautionary measure, the Philippines would additionally be declaring a voluntary repatriation for those from a 50-kilometer to 100-kilometer radius. This would, in total, involve about 2,000 Filipinos, not counting children. In both cases, the Philippine Government will absorb the full cost of repatriation to the Philippines. Our plan to repatriate will involve the chartering of aircraft, which is being planned to originate from Niigata airport located in northwest Japan. We are targeting the first repatriation flight to be scheduled for Sunday, April 17.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with concerned agencies to ascertain that those repatriated will undergo proper health screening.
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