COVID front liners: More Filipino Good Samaritans in Dubai step up to the plate

Against the backdrop of sharp increases in the new Covid-19 cases and draconian measures to prevent its spread, the spirit of Bayanihan, or camaraderie, has taken center stage among overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Dubai, who have started reaching out, giving free groceries to those who have lost jobs due to the virus in this toughest of times for one to be away from home, penniless.

There so far there have been no organized efforts to launch a relief drive, noting restrictions in the movement of residents because the city has been under a two-week, 24-hour “sterilization” drive, which started at 8pm of April 4 and will run until April 18.

But there have been Filipinos who have taken the daunting task on their own, ensuring, at the same time, that they don’t violate the government’s directives in their efforts to help others

A Facebook page, Kabayan Bayanihan, has also launched to coordinate relief initiatives. The page works as a coordination point for OFWs wanting to help through food donations and those needing them.

In an interview, the group said they prioritize relief efforts to OFWs according to their statuses.

“May prayoridad po kami na ma-abutan ng tulong. Dahil po sa dami ng nangangailangan, mas nakatutuok kami dun sa mga naubos o nasagad na ang resources,” Kabayan Bayanihan said in a Facebook message to Rappler.

These categories, the group said are those in the UAE on a visit visa for over a month and do not have relatives in the country;  those who have been jobless for over a month and haven’t received their salary as well as End of Service Benefits (EOSB) or back pay; and those who still have their jobs bit haven’t been paid for two months and counting.   

“Transporting the food is a challenge,” said the group. “Kaya if may kakilala na may permit to move ay duon na lamang nakikisuyo.”

Fr. Fred Carmelo, administrative pastor at United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) who is also with Kabayan Bayanihan, said an informal group of volunteers launched it a week ago.

“Since I am connected sa church as a pastor dito sa Dubai at Abu Dhabi, nagtutulungan kami pag may kabayan na in need ng food. Nagre-referal din sila sa’ kin,” Carmelo said.

“Magkakakilala lamang ang gumawa nito. Personal sa gustong tumulong sa’ting mga kababayan. Hindi po sila kabilang sa anumang organization,” he added.

For musicians who lost their gigs

Meantime, among other Good Samaritans acting on their own is Mark Legaspi, an entrepreneur who owns a company supplying sound systems to clubs, and has now embarked on giving back to the community by providing relief goods to Filipino musicians who lost gigs because the bars have been closed per government’s directive to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

 “This is my way to give something back to the industry that had been really good to me and my company for years, and yung mga musikero sa Dubai, sila ang naunang na apektuhan, kasi bago pa magsimulang mag-work from home, yung mga clubs nagsara na; and they are stuck here, hindi maka-uwi kasi akala nila magbubukas din agad ang mga clubs,” Legaspi told Rappler.

The effort, which was started also on April 4, has grown to include OFWs in the other industries.

Initiative

Legaspi said his initiative began with a small chat.

“Galing sa kwentuhan namin nung kakilala kong musikero. Then the next day, nag-post na ako. I didn’t expect na marami ang magme-message. It’s not big what I did, but I feel we should all do something, no matter how big or small it may be, to help each other out.

“Now is not the time to be political in social media. Now is the time for compassion and action. Let’s help out,” Legaspi said.

Selective

Legaspi said he has been selective about whom to give the relief packages to because of the sheer number of those asking for help. He said he was happy with the response.

“Kasi limited time and budget lang din, so I talked to them isa-isa, asked about their situation and explained that priority namin ay yung matagal nang walang sweldo and in urgent need.

“Nakaka-tuwa naman kasi yung ibang nag-message are honest naman and they said, ‘Oh, medyo OK pa kami, i-refer namin kayo sa friend na talagang may kailangan.’ Ka-tuwa, may needs din sila but they understand na merong may mas na na-ngangailangan and nagbigay-daan sila,” Legaspi said.

Thus far, Legaspi has given packages of rice, corned beef, sardines, luncheon meat and noodles to jobless OFWs living in Karama, Bur Dubai, Satwa and Deira – OFW enclaves in Dubai. He has been able to do so through assistance from those who have more mobility access per government regulations regarding the 24-hour “sterilization” drive.

Exempted from the strict measures on mobility are people employed in the vital industries.

Legaspi called on fellow OFWs, who have a little something to spare, to reach out as well.

“Sa mga nakaluluwag, let’s try to help out,” he said.

Grocery shopping

Another crusading OFW is Kristopher John Ydeo, a financial planning and business performance analyst, who said he meets his beneficiaries at a particular hypermart to shop with him for their needs. Sometimes, he said, he does the shopping for them.

Under the government’s directive, people may be allowed permit to go out of their homes but only to buy food and essentials, go to the pharmacy, or in cases of emergency.

“I started it alone. I have no affiliated organization. I prioritized the elderly. Paid their rent for a month; hand them a little cash, hopefully enough to cover them for a month or two. I, too, have already asked for help, as I’ve got so many on my list; and I’ve gone far and beyond na po due to budget constraint,” Ydeo told Rappler.

As fundraising is also subject to government regulations, Ydeo said he spends from his own account. “Kung ano na lang po ang meron sa abot na aking makakaya,” he said.

Asked what has motivated him to reach out, Ydeo said: “It is something I’ve learned over the years. I once lived a life having nothing when I landed here in the UAE back in 2011 –  no relatives, no friends, no one to ask for help. I knew the feeling of having nothing… of swallowing one’s pride just to have something to eat.”

He said he has probably helped up to 25 families to date. “Different situations. Different stories,” he said.

Ydeo said: “Nagkikita lang kami and I take them to groceries. Sometimes may napamili na then give na lang. Mamimili ako then I asked beneficiaries to take (mobility) permit then meet ko lang outside the groceries.”

Ydeo said he spends on average, Dh150 to Dh200 per beneficiary.  “I pay different amounts kasi I always give them a little opportunity to choose what they want to eat din. Of course, we cannot deny the fact that some people just cannot eat sardines, di ba? My father doesn’t and hindi kami mayaman niyan ha!”

Ydeo said he has temporarily stopped his good deed, at least till the next paycheck comes around. “Wala na din po akong budget. Wait lang po muna ako sa sahod ko sa (April) 25,” he said.

Rappler asked Ydeo for an actual picture of himself giving out groceries, and like Legaspi, he said: “Sorry, people know I don’t take pictures sa mga ganitong cases. Completely ridiculous to take a selfie just to say you are helping. I am not like that.”

As of April 8, there were 2,659 Covid-19 cases. A month earlier on March 7, there were 45, according to the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP). The rise in number is being attributed to increased Covid tests across the city as part of the “sterilization” drive. There were 300 confirmed cases in a single day on April 8, according to MoHAP’s daily brief.

At least 12 of the total confirmed cases were Filipinos of which three have fully recovered, also according to MoHAP.

In all, MoHAP said there have been 12 deaths and 186 recoveries as of April 7.

There are approximately 750,000 OFWs in the UAE, around 500,000 of which are in Dubai, according to various official records.