BWI General Secretary Ambet Yuson lauded the newly elected BMKQ officers and wished them success in their mission.
10 Dec 2021 – DOHA. The Bayanihan ng Manggagawa sa Konstruksyon ng Qatar (BMKQ), an association of Filipino workers in the construction sector, held its 6th General Assembly on Friday, 10th December 2021 at Inspire Management Training Center in Doha. Complying with COVID-19 protocols, limited number of members attended the assembly which is held back-to-back with Bayanihan Qatar’s general assembly.
BMKQ President – Mr. Joseph Catarungan presented the highlights of the organization’s achievements in 2021, along with the gradual lifting of COVID-19 restrictions by Qatar authorities. These focused on workers education and members capability building through trainings and seminars, blood donation program, beach clean-up and tree planting programs, and sporting events for men and women in the construction and other job sectors.
Mr. Ambet Yuson, General Secretary of BWI
It can be recalled that at the height of pandemic in 2020, BMKQ has assisted more than 3,000 workers who received emergency assistance from the organization such as grocery packs.
In collaboration with Building and Woodworkers International (BWI), BMKQ organized for the first time, the BWI Basketball Cup – a basketball tourney for Filipino construction workers in the country. According to Mr. Catarungan, the BWI Cup is planned to be organized yearly, with high hopes that Qatar will successfully win over the pandemic and bring situations back to normal.
“Sports especially Basketball is highly common among Filipinos, and organizing a basketball tournament among workers would somehow promote camaraderie, entertainment amidst limited mobilities due to restrictions, and a hopeful prelude to overcoming the pandemic in the country.”, adds Catarungan.
Mr. Joseph O. Catarungan – outgoing president of BMKQ
Meanwhile, women leaders dominated the new set of officers elected by the general assembly to serve the term 2021-2022, as follow: Meliza Ortiguerra – President; Ian Baldesco – Vice-President; Evelyn Florendo – Secretary; Elenie Nicomedes – Treasurer; Alliver Revilla – Auditor; Mau Trinidad – Business Manager; and Maurin Matalubos – Public Relation Officer. Moreover, there are eleven new members who took their oath of membership.
Mr. Ambet Yuson – General Secretary of BWI, who graced the assembly, shared some of BWI’s missions in Qatar, such as the establishment of Migrant Workers Center, which will benefit not only the Filipino migrant workers but all other nationals as well, working in the country. Mr. Yuson also lauded the dominance of women in the seats and considered it to be aligned with BWI’s campaign to empower women in the construction industry. Amidst great opportunities and challenges ahead, Yuson wished the newly elected officers best success as they commit to serve the organization, and encourage them to closely partner with Qatar authorities such as the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Interior, and the Philippine government offices in the country.
Engr. Meliza Ortiguerra – newly elected president of BMKQ who will serve the term 2021-2022
Engr. Meliza Ortiguerra – the newly elected BMKQ President thanked the general assembly who elected her to a new challenge. While she is not making a promise, Ortiguerra assured that she will do her best to achieve the organizational directives, with the support of other officers and the general membership as well.
Also highlighted in the General Assembly is the relaunching of BMKQ website – www.bmkq.me, designed by Engr. Ressie Fos – the former president, and now adviser of the organization. Fos explained that the website will also include members’ portal and other applications that will benefit members and other Filipino migrant workers in the country.