DUBAI: The Philippines’ commercial attaché to the Middle East and Africa (MEA), Charmaine Mignon S. Yalong has commended the Filipino community for actively taking part in the host-country’s preparations for Expo 2020.
Noting the participation of a huge number of Filipinos at the Expo 2020 site, Yalong said: “We are always very pleased to hear that Filipinos continue to contribute to the UAE community and economy, this time, for Expo 2020.
“Our talents and creativity are indeed world-class and what better platform to showcase that but at the World Expo! We continue to enjoin our kabayan to be part of the Expo 2020 as volunteers either directly to Expo 2020 or the Philippine Pavilion.”
Yalong said the Philippines has a line-up of monthly activities led by the Philippine Embassy and Consulate in line with Expo 2020.
“We hope everyone can be part of it one way or another,” she said.
The Filipino Times has gathered that hundreds of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are currently at the Expo 2020 site which is south of Dubai joining hands with thousands of people from different countries around the world working round the clock for the momentous event.
Around 70 OFWs are directly working with the Expo 2020 team, holding key positions from creatives to web management, branding and procurement among others.
Hundreds more are with contractors engaged in various Expo 2020-related site projects.
Meantime, Yalong disclosed that groundbreaking for the Philippine pavilion will be held in December 2019.
“We are signing the contract with the main contractor within October 2019. Given this timeline, the groundbreaking is in December 2019,” she said.
The Expo 2020 Dubai Higher Committee has recently announced it is on track to deliver the “world’s greatest show.”
The big event is seen to attract 25 million visitors between the opening day on Oct. 20, 2020 and April 10, 2021. The event will also welcome over 200 international participants from 192 nations.
The world expo aims for the global community to share innovations. It is held every five years and runs for six months. Milan, Italy was Expo 2015’s host.
