In a landmark initiative, the Philippine Embassy in the UAE and the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) in Abu Dhabi’s joint community outreach program provided 329 services to the Filipino community in Madinat Zayed, Al Dhafra, on July 20, 2024. This outreach covered a wide range of services including passport renewal, notarial services, civil registration, welfare assistance, contract verification, and Overseas Voting registration.
“With many developments here in the UAE and in the Philippines, including the manner of service delivery and the need to continuously improve it, the landscape for our kababayan has significantly changed over the past years,” said Philippine Ambassador to the UAE, H.E. Alfonso Ver. “With these outreach activities–with the one here in Madinat Zayed being the first of its kind and the first for this year–the Embassy is committed to bring its services closer to the Filipino community, wherever they may be in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi or in the UAE.”
Reports from Filipino community members and organizations highlighted the increasing number of Filipinos residing in Madinat Zayed, prompting the Embassy to make its services more accessible. Madinat Zayed is located approximately 159 kilometers from Abu Dhabi’s capital city.
The success of the outreach was also due to the efforts of volunteers from the local community organization Filcom Al Dhafra, who played a crucial role in ensuring the smooth conduct of the activity, demonstrating strong engagement between the Embassy and the community.
“Filipino community organizations and members are steadfast partners of the Embassy in promoting and advancing the interests and welfare of our kababayan, of our continuously thriving community,” Ambassador Ver added. “The growing presence of our community in emerging areas such as Madinat Zayed is proof of our strong and deeply-rooted relations with the UAE, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our diplomatic relations this year.”
This outreach follows two similar initiatives conducted in Al Ain City and Al Dhannah City in November 2023. The next outreach activity is scheduled to be held in Gayathi, Abu Dhabi Western Region, on June 27-28, 2024.