Dubai Fire Fails to Dent Morale of 80 Little Manila Employees
DUBAI: About 80 staff of the Little Manila restaurant were among hundreds hit by the devastating fire that broke out at the Al Shamsi building in Deira Dubai on Monday.
These employees arrived in Dubai in batches in August and September for the restaurant’s opening.
Darius Simbahan, the restaurant supervisor, was quoted as saying by Gulf News that the women employees previously stayed at the A block while the men lived in the B and C blocks.
“The good part is, since we’ve only been here for three months, we haven’t really bought a lot of things yet. But the best part is, the items we lost are just material things; they can be replaced,” Simbahan, 43, reportedly said.
Despite the huge personal loss suffered by workers, the traditional Filipino restaurant in Rigga has remained open for business, with staff sharing contacts and information to help the community back on its feet, reported The National.
The Philippine consulate has been distributing clothes and essential items to the many who lost everything.
Art Los Banos, one of the organisers of the relief support at St. Mary’s Church, was quoted as saying that the group was able to collect donations amounting to Dh8,000 to help the fire victims, on top of the material donations they received.
“All the physical items are already covered. If people want to donate, they can opt to give money instead,” Los Banos reportedly said.
The Medical City (TMC), a Filipino-managed health care facility in Dubai, is offering free treatment to the fire victims.
Free check-up, consultation and treatment will be provided from 9am to noon on Thursday.
“We understand that most of the Filipino victims have lost their valuable documents and perhaps even their health insurance cards. They can come to our facility located on 2nd December Street within Jumeirah 1 and near Satwa to be checked and treated,” Dr Rebecca Desiderio, TMC chief executive officer, said.
Filipino doctors with various specialities namely general medical practice, paediatrics, OB-gynaecology, internal medicine and cardiology will be on hand to help the victims.
Last night, Fiesta Pinoy, a Filipino food restaurant in Deira, had organized a dine and donate dinner buffet was held at the. Half of every Dh20 entry fee went to help the victims of the fire.
A donation box has also been set up at Rocky’s Cafe at the Ramee Guestline Hotel.