To immediately respond to the needs of Filipinos affected by COVID-19 in Thailand, officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok, using their personal money, donated 160 packs of rice to Filipinos in Thailand.
The 100 packs of rice (5kgs each) donation went to Bangkok and were distributed by the Association of Filipinos in Thailand (AFT) on Saturday. The 30 packs which were given to Phuket will be distributed by ACTION-Association of Concerned Filipinos in Thailand starting Tuesday. The remaining 30 packs will be distributed by Filipino Community Samui (FCS) in Koh Samui island.
“Maraming nangangailangan dito kaagad.. almost 1 month nang walang work ang mga musikero dito dahil even before declaration of emergency ay nagsara na ang mga hotels,” said Teresa Sarmiento of ACTION group in Phuket.
Meanwhile, around 600 Filipinos live on the resort island of Koh Samui. Many of them who work as entertainers (singers and musicians) and hotel workers lost their jobs according to FCS President Nora Lim. The island has been ordered lockdown starting today, April 7.
As of posting, OWWA and other Philippine government agencies have not given any financial assistance to about 20,000 Filipinos in Thailand. The latest post on OWWA Facebook page says that the guidelines for the 200 USD subsidy for every OFW affected by COVID-19 are still being prepared.
The Embassy donation was learned by PinoyThaiyo from FILCOM leaders after interviewing them on the plights of Filipinos in their areas.
When asked by PinoyThaiyo, an Embassy official conveyed his message of thanks to the Filipino community for their partnership and hope that they can move this Bayanihan initiative forward with their own initiatives.
Thank you to all the officers and staff of the Philippine Embassy in Bangkok!
Photo: Cathzie Tale / AFT