PHL Embassy-the Hague commends Fil-dutch groups’ humanitarian work
THE HAGUE—THE Philippine Embassy in The Hague lauded Filipino community organizations for their humanitarian-assistance programs benefiting their compatriots who are experiencing difficulties at this time of pandemic.
The commendations were made during a picnic organized by the embassy for Filipino-community leaders on September 4 at the Zuiderpark in this city.
Ambassador of the Philippines to the Netherlands J. Eduardo Malaya handed plaques of commendation to the Filipino LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) Europe for their “Ayuda sa Amsterdam,” where they extended food, medical and cash assistance to vulnerable Filipinos in Amsterdam.
The program distributes grocery food vouchers from Albert Heijn groceries and Red Cross-netherlands, and also rolls out a Zorgbus, or medical mission bus, in partnership with Dokters van de Wereld every first Friday of the month, which provides free medical consultation, free vitamins and medicines, as well as free counselling services.
Also commended were the Serve, Act, Respond as One Community (SARO), Media Correspondent and Volunteer Organization (MCVO) and the Filipino Migrants in Solidarity (Filmis) for their “Tulong Kabayan Netherlands” drive which also provided food and cash assistance to affected Filipinos in this city of the Netherlands.
“The Filipino LGBT Europe, SARO, MCVO and Filmis deserve our collective appreciation, as their proactive programs best exemplify our tradition of bayanihan, [or] community self-help,” Malaya said.
Certificates of appreciation to community members were also presented for their contributions to the embassy’s cultural programs, particularly their participation in the commemoration of the 123rd Independence Day of the Philippines, and the Fiesta Filipinas kit vlogging.
In a brief program, embassy officials provided updates on the conduct of overseas-voting registration, preparations for the “Philippinesnetherlands Connection at 70: Reconstructing History and Forging Ahead” webinar from November 9 to 11, which is being organized in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University and the Netherlands Embassy in Manila, as well as the chancery’s ongoing renovation project.
The Philippine Embassy also conducted overseas voters’ registration during the event. Some 70 Filipino community leaders and embassy staff members took part in the event and enjoyed the games, potluck lunch and fellowship.