A group of Filipinos in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is assisting fellow Filipino workers in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nagtayo kami ng sariling grupo na pwede silang humingi ng tulong hanggang sa abot ng aming makakaya,” said Maria Emily Paguio.
In an interview with TeleRadyo Tuesday morning, Paguio said they were only four friends when their group called Modern KKK (Kumapit Ka Kabayan) started until it grew.
In recent days, she said, they have received cash to buy foods such as rice.
Paguio said in the interview that many Filipinos lost their jobs due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19.
“Maraming Pilipino ang walang trabaho dahil sarado ang mga negosyo dahil sa pandemya. Sa bahay lang sila. Some of them are undocumented, so takot din silang lumabas,” she said.
Paguio has been an English tutor for three years since moving to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 8 years ago. She also said that she used to work in a restaurant.
Like her before, many Filipinos also work in restaurants as waiters, baristas.
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The group is meeting the needs of the poor and unemployed Filipinos in the country due to the pandemic.
“Normally po bigas. Three days ago nakatanggap ako ng message na 5 Pilipina, medyo malayo-layo po sila sa akin pero nagawan ko pa rin ng paraan. Nanghihingi sila na kahit bigas na lang daw po maisalba lang ang gutom nila. Nakapagpadala naman ako kahapon sa kanila,” she said.
“Noong nakaraan, umabot kami ng 13,000. Actually, per day po yung count nila. Kahapon po, ang new cases is 10,972, bumaba ng kaunti,” she added.
Although they do not have to wear a face shield, they cannot go out without wearing a face mask, and there are many roadblocks.
The Philippine Embassy is providing assistance to the affected Filipinos, but many are still hopeful that the COVID-19 pandemic will eventually end.
“Ayaw pa rin umuwi dahil wala rin namang trabahong naghihintay sa kanila dyan sa Pinas,” she said.
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