By Alan Timbayan, Philippine Ambassador to Qatar
The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in the State of Qatar expresses its sincere appreciation for the approach that the host government has taken with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic. The measures that have been employed exemplify the inclusive nature of the approach, as citizens and residents are treated the same. The emphasis placed on the kind of treatment that Qatar offers, in that it is not only for free but for everyone, speaks volumes of the commitment of the country to protect those who are here.
Aside from the inclusivity of its approach, Qatar has taken steps to ensure that its measures also positively affect the other aspects of our lives, as all of us have been greatly affected by the pandemic. While it cannot be denied that the pandemic has negatively affected all countries economically, Qatar has taken considerable measures to mitigate the negative economic impact of Covid-19, actions that benefit both citizens and residents alike.
It is significant to note that Qatar continues to strike a fine balance between the challenges presented by the pandemic and the measures that should be taken to combat it. The way that Qatar has tackled Covid-19 is the test and clearest representation of its capability in handling the issues presented by the pandemic. It should be readily apparent to everyone here that Qatar has marshaled everything at its disposal to address the problems presented by this disease.
It is also worth noting that aside from the holistic and coordinated action of the Qatari government, the private sector is also performing its civic role. Private sector initiatives have also been significant in their scope and it is in this context that the embassy thanks Qatar Charity for the support that it has given to the Filipino community in these trying times. I, on behalf of the Filipinos here in Qatar, wish to express my sincere gratitude for this display of generosity and solidarity.
Like all countries that have been struck by Covid-19, the citizens and residents of Qatar have felt the negative effects of the pandemic in one way or another; however, the State of Qatar is addressing these various issues so that as a society we can emerge from this pandemic as whole as possible. The manner in which these concerns have been tackled exemplify the seriousness with which Qatar treats the challenges presented by the pandemic: given this, we as members of society should not only be as well-informed as possible on what is being done for us, but we should also do our part to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Stay at home and stay safe.
