It takes a village to raise a child – and a community to help those in need.
A group of about 25 medical practitioners has urged Filipinos in Dubai to join hands and work with the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) to extend assistance to compatriots in dire straits, including wards at the Philippine Overseas Labor Office – Overseas Workers Welfare Office (POLO-OWWA) and hospitals across the city.
This as Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes said helping Filipinos in financial need has become limited to being an individual undertaking, noting the regulations and procedures required to conduct fundraisers.
Groups raising funds for a certain cause needs to coordinate with the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department (IACAD).
“We can not just endorse (fundraisers),” said Cortes. He said donating money “is an individual effort done in a manner most effective.”
Dr. Alfonso Vincent G. Torres, chair of the Philippine Healthcare Professionals Association (PHPA), has raised the matter during a recent town hall meeting presided over by Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay, Jr. at the Canadian University of Dubai.
The PHPA regularly holds medical missions at POLO-OWWA to attend to the needs of Filipinos staying there.
“Sila and pinatutuunan naming ng pansin,” said Torres. “Kung sino gustong tumulong, tulungan natin sila,” he added.
He said Filipinos staying at POLO-OWWA, mostly up for repatriation and facing a host of issues, need attention because “hindi sila nakakalabas, walang financial support and suffering from various stresses.”
Torres said those in hospitals is another concern because they lack financial resources, as well. “Marami naming mga kababayan na nagnanais makatulong, wala nga lamang proper channel,” he added.
