PICE Qatar Chapter conducts 3rd POLO-OWWA Community Outreach for Distressed OFWs

by Emmanuel German V. Boceta

The Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Qatar Chapter through its Committee on PICE Qatar Affairs (COPA) chaired by Engr. Emmanuel German V. Boceta again completed another program from its list of monthly activities last September 23, 2022, from 11:00 AM onwards when it successfully conducted its 3rd Philippine Overseas Labor Office - Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (POLO-OWWA) Community Outreach for Distressed Overseas Filipino Workers in coordination with the Philippine Society of Sanitary Engineers, Inc. (PSSE-MENA) and I AM Worldwide Corporation Team Prime Builders - Qatar at the POLO-OWWA Migrant Workers and other Overseas Filipinos Resource Center (MWOFRC) Shelter, Doha, State of Qatar.

Despite their busy schedules, several members of the PICE Qatar Executive Committee (EXECOMM 2022), COPA members, PICE Qatar family members, PSSE-MENA Members, and Team Prime Builders members have spared their time to be present during the handover of goods at the MWOFRC Shelter.

Engr. Danica Rose Alcantara and Engr. Rosendo Berja Jr. hosted the program. The programmed activity started with an Opening Prayer by Engr. Emilio Manalo Jr. and Opening Remarks delivered by 1st VP Elvin Fajutagana who mentioned the background and insight of the outreach activity.

Chapter President Engr. Rolan Nevado gave his message stating the continuous support of the 3,500+ strong members of the organization in delivering community outreach programs such as these as listed in the PICE Qatar’s 2022 calendar of activities benefitting particularly Distressed OFWs as part of the organization’s community social responsibility.

Similar pieces of advice and inspirational messages were delivered by the Chapter Pass Presidents Engr. Ronaldo Nilo, PP and Team Prime Builders Head Mentor Engr. Aileen Abejero-Buenaflor, IPP and PPOQ Chairman Engr. Mark Anthony P. Abendan, and Chapter Founding President, Engr. Roy L. Baquiran to boost up the morale of the wards present during the activity.

Inspirational messages and bits of advice were also given by Assistant Labor Attaché and OIC POLO-OWWA Qatar, Hon. Don Albert Philippe C. Pangcog, expressed gratitude for the noble donations and gave his “Words of Wisdom” for the continuous support of professional organizations such as PICE Qatar, PSSE, and Filipino Community partner sponsors who are always ever ready to extend support and respond to the ordeals of our distressed migrant workers-kababayans having these circumstances accordingly.

The essential goods and dole-out items were handed over to POLO-OWWA-MWOFRC Shelter Coordinator, Atty. Cherry Rhose Cureg who have conveyed words of thanks and gratitude for the goods received and for the continuous support of PICE Qatar together with PSSE-MENA, Team Prime Builder Qatar, and sponsors/donors for the activity. There were 125 wards, and 6 baby beneficiaries housed at the shelter during that time.

Awarding of Plaque of Appreciation to a partner organization, PSSE-MENA, and the food sponsor-UNO Café was presented in the event while the Photo-Ops for documentation ensued later.

In the end, Engr. Emmanuel German V. Boceta thanked the continued support from PICE Qatar members, sponsors, donors, and everyone who in one way or another have helped for the success in realizing the cause of the activity. He further mentioned that included in the role and responsibility of his COPA Team with the help of the Treasurer and Business Manager is to conduct, coordinate and organize drives such as these for relief-induced individuals both local and international with the indulgence of the PICE Qatar EXECOMM and as mandated by the PICE Qatar Constitution and By-Laws.

The activity ended at 12:30 PM after the food packs and hygiene kits were individually distributed properly to the wards.

The Outreach Program for Distressed Overseas Filipino Workers is an annual continuous program and quarterly activity which has been organized since the start of PICE Qatar to enhance the Social Responsibility and Community Involvement of Civil Engineers, which is one of the PICE Core Values.