Philippine Labour Attaché David Des Dicang (second left) and UFOQ Chairman Henry Dimaano (third left) along with other UFOQ officials and council members at the UFOQ Thanksgiving and Recognition Night held at Holiday Inn on Friday. Pic: Baher Amin/The Pen
DOHA: Filipino organisations and community leaders in Qatar gathered on Friday to celebrate the accomplishments and milestones the Filipino community achieved in the past year.
The United Filipino Organisations in Qatar (UFOQ), the umbrella organisation of Filipino groups in the country, organised the event to recognise and thank UFOQ council members and various Filipino groups as well as partners for their support in the different initiatives and projects carried out.
“This event is not just a recap of what UFOQ has accomplished with your help and support and guided by our shared vision of honestly serving our kababayans (countrymen) especially those who are in need and supporting the programmes of the Philippine Embassy in Doha,” said UFOQ Chairman Henry Dimaano.
“We want to celebrate and honour the hardworking men and women behind each and every Filipino community group that has been working tirelessly to contribute to various efforts to uplift the image of Filipino expats in the country as well as contribute to our growing community and our beloved host country Qatar,” said Dimaano before providing a summary of UFOQ’s accomplishments.
The Filipino community through the UFOQ provided assistance to victims of the Marawi Siege through a QR25,000 donation for the construction of classrooms of Dhayfullah Islamic Institute Foundation. The siege was a five-month long armed conflict which claimed lives, destroyed properties and infrastructure and displaced residents in Marawi last year.
UFOQ provided plane tickets to distressed Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Qatar through its Send Someone Home Program as well as extended financial assistance and relief goods to fire victims in Industrial Area and distressed OFWs living outside the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO) shelter.
Several community events were organised such as the successful UFOQ Fun Run which witnessed more than 4,000 participants during the Qatar National Day in addition to the dynamic participation of the community in the Qatar National Day community parade.
The community also actively took part in the National Sports Day celebration as well as in several sports events including the Asian Communities Football Tournament and the Inter Community Beach Volleyball Festival during the year.
UFOQ also hosted a number of events including a badminton tournament and the International Migration Forum as well as organised seminars and workshops, among others.
Philippine Labour Attaché David Des Dicang expressed his gratitude to the Filipino community groups and leaders through the leadership of UFOQ “for choosing to serve our countrymen in many ways. We in the government cannot do it alone. We need you,” he said, while lauding UFOQ being a strong partner of POLO.
“I want to thank you for being with us in this journey. Let’s be stronger and continue to help more and more,” he said.
The programme culminated with the awarding of certificates of appreciation from the Qatari government to Filipino groups and individuals for their active participation and contribution to the success of Qatar National Day celebrations last year.
