Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte and officials of the Embassy of Qatar on Thursday handed out school materials to daycare learners at a gift-giving event in Mandaluyong City.

The joint effort was part of Qatar’s efforts to promote its historic hosting of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup 2022 in its capital city of Doha from November 20 to December 18.

Parent Rosselle Ann Morada, 21, said she was grateful for Duterte’s efforts for the educational welfare of children and that the school supplies that her son received from the Qatar government would be of great help, especially since she and her husband, a construction worker, are running on a tight budget.

“Masaya po, binoto ko ‘yan, kahit siya [her son] tuwang-tuwa siya… Masaya kasi dagdag tulong na rin para sa mga gamit… e nag-aaral pa ako, Grade 10, sabay-sabay (I’m happy, I voted for her, even him [her son] is very happy. We’re happy because it is an additional aid for school materials, [since] I’m still also studying Grade 10, all at once), ” she told the Philippine News Agency.

Continuing ties

Duterte considered Qatar’s goodwill toward Filipino children as a significant move to strengthen decades-long ties between the Philippines and Qatar.

“I take pride in continuing linkages, cooperation, and meaningful exchanges between the Philippines and Qatar, in four decades of our vernacular relations. This collaborative project is a testament to developing ties between our nations. The Philippines, under the leadership of President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., remains committed to cultivating our partnerships and pursuing new areas of new interests,” she said.

The Vice President also shared her hopes for the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup.

“Qatar will be hosting the FIFA World Cup starting next month in Doha. This will be the first time in history that the FIFA World Cup will take place in the Middle east. I am confident that this historic hosting of this event will be a success and will serve as a precedent for future national engagements,” she added.

In a speech, Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin Abalos Sr. also thanked the Qatar Embassy for deciding to promote the sporting event by helping school children.

“Instead of giving football materials, he came here with gifts for our children at the daycare center. This shows what kind of person our Ambassador is, the importance of education for our children,” he said.

Qatar Ambassador to the Philippines Dr. Ali Ibrahim Al-Malki, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, and Mandaluyong Vice Mayor Menchie Abalos also joined the event. (PNA)