PH Consulate Provides Free Shuttle Service to Northern Emirates Voters

Over a hundred Filipino voters from the northern emirates of Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain, and Ajman, availed the free shuttle service offered by the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai on 30 April and 1 May 2022.

The roundtrip free shuttle service, which is an initiative of the Consulate and supported by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), was a way for the Consulate to help the Filipino voters from the Northern Emirates to exercise their right to vote in the 2022 National and Local Elections in Dubai. Voters who were interested to avail of the service were asked to pre-register online days before the trip to secure their slot.

"We understand that we have kababayans in the Northern Emirates who might have challenges to come to Dubai to vote. We hope to help them in some way by providing a free shuttle service so they can come here and exercise their right to vote. This is an additional service that we provide to facilitate the voting of overseas Filipinos here in the Northern Emirates, which is part of our jurisdiction," said Consul General Renato N. Dueñas, Jr.

The voters from the Northern Emirates expressed their gratitude to the Consulate for making the arrangements. In a Facebook comment, user Mae Lawal says, "Thank you for arranging a hassle-free voting process for us who came from the Northern Emirates."

"On behalf of Fujairah Filipino Community, big thank you po Philippine Consulate General in Dubai para sa bus arrangement," commented Vicky Mayormita-Caday on Facebook.

The Consulate partnered with the Filipino Social Club (FILSOC) and Sangguniang Masang Pilipino International, Incorporated (SMPII) in the activity. The groups served as trip managers that helped transport the passengers to and from the destinations safely and in an orderly manner.

Due to the positive feedback received from the voters from the northern emirates, the Consulate is currently considering making additional free shuttle services in the areas for the coming days prior to the end of the overseas voting period on 9 May 2022. END