Dubai: Consular help for the Filipino community in Dubai is just around the corner, with a provision at bus stops to air their concerns and grievances.
In a unique initiative, Kabayan Corner or drop boxes have been set up at the Roads and Transport Authority’s (RTA) smart bus shelters where there is an existing cargo service.
LBC Express, the cargo service provider at the bus stops, has tied with the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai to set up the Kabayan Corner. The service will allow Filipinos to reach out to the Philippine Consul General with ease and convenience.
Apart from the smart shelters, the facility will be available at all LBC branches.
Through this initiative the 450,000-strong Filipino community in Dubai and the northern emirates will be able to direct their concerns to Philippine Consul General Paul Raymund Cortes.
Letters, handed in the LBC kiosks located in the Smart Shelters as well as LBC branches, will be delivered to the Philippine Consulate General on a weekly basis.
The initiative also extends legal aid through Gulf Law, which can be accessed through a tablet stationed in LBC kiosks and branches.
“Kabayan Corner is a unique programme that offers a new mode of communication for our Filipino constituents to easily reach us. We are always in the forefront of assisting our fellow countrymen and believe in such initiatives that will help us connect with them,” said Cortes.
The cargo services were launched earlier this year in six of the 100 smart bus stops, as part of the value-added facilities.
The air-conditioned smart shelters, offering free WiFi, mobile charging, Nol and telecom recharge, bill payments and grocery shopping, are spread across 15 districts of Dubai.
Apart from the six stops with cargo services, 30 stops have minimarts, 30 others have food and beverage stalls, while the remaining 35 will have food stalls soon.
Among the services available at the Smart Shelter cargo stalls is express pick-up, offering same day pick-ups and deliveries from on-site bookings. This will allow residents to avoid the hassle of calling and requesting a schedule.
The six locations where these services are available are Al Satwa, Mankhool, Shaikh Zayed Road, Khalid Bin Waleed Street and Al Riqqa.
