Advisories & News
Press Release
PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL IN TORONTO HOLDS CONSULAR OUTREACH MISSION IN WINNIPEG AND STEINBACH, MANITOBA
2025-07-24
The first batch of the 119 RA 9225 applicants that took their oath of allegiance for the retention/reacquisition of Philippine citizenship before Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin (front, center) during the three-day mission in Winnipeg and Steinbach pose for a group shot
20 July 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted its second consular outreach mission to Winnipeg for 2025 and the first ever outreach to Steinbach in Manitoba on 18-20 July 2025. The three-day outreach was held at the Holiday Inn Express Winnipeg Airport – Polo Park in Winnipeg and the Road House 52 Inn & Suites in Steinbach, with the support of Philippine Consul ad honorem in Winnipeg, Ronaldo Opina, the Southeast Manitoba Filipino Association (SEMFA), and a number of Filipino community volunteers from both cities.
The outreach team provided a range of consular services to members of the community in Steinbach, Winnipeg, and other neighboring areas. These include passport renewals, notarial services, civil registration submissions, and dual citizenship applications.
The consular team rendered a total of 554 consular services. One hundred nineteen (119) former Filipinos with their dependents took their oath of allegiance to retain/reacquire their Filipino citizenship under Republic Act 9225.
The team, led by Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin, briefed the clients on the consular and assistance-to-nationals (ATN) services provided by the Consulate. Among the issues discussed were the period of stay allowed in the Philippines either under the Balikbayan Privilege or as dual citizens and the corresponding documentation to support these, as well as distinguishing between children that may be considered dual Filipino and Canadian citizens at birth and children that would need to be included as dependents in their parents’ application for dual citizenship under RA 9225. They were reminded of the importance of registering with the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa or Consulates General in Calgary, Toronto or Vancouver all births and marriages in Canada involving Filipinos.
The newly sworn-in dual citizens were urged to look out for the announcement of the resumption of registration for Filipino overseas voters so they can exercise their right to vote in the 2028 Philippine national elections.
The team also took the opportunity to inform the Filipino community in Manitoba of the forthcoming launch of the Winter Escapade 10, the tenth iteration of the flagship tourism program of Philippine Posts in Canada, and encouraged them to consider participating in the 10-day tour with their families and friends on 1-10 February 2026, to reconnect with their roots and enjoy some sun, sand and sea during the peak of Canadian winter.
Representatives of the Migrant Workers Office (MWO)/Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA)-Toronto and Social Security System (SSS)-Toronto, and a visiting delegation from Pag-IBIG Fund also joined the outreach mission to provide their services to the Filipino community.
The Philippine Consulate General will hold its third outreach to Winnipeg, MB for 2025 back-to-back with its first mission to Brandon, MB in September. These missions are part of the Consulate’s continuing efforts to bring its services closer to Filipino communities in Ontario and Manitoba.
(Left photo) Consul Katrina Isabelle Borja-Martin responding to questions from dual citizenship applicants in Winnipeg; (Right photo) The outreach team assisting clients in Steinbach
(Left photo) First stop of the outreach team — a quick visit to Seafood City Supermarket in Winnipeg hosted by Store Manager Al Francis Francisco (front, 2nd from right) to hear about the current state of the Winnipeg market for Filipino grocery items; (Right photo) The outreach team with Philippine Honorary Consul in Winnipeg Ronaldo Opina (front row, 3rd from right), SEMFA officers, and community volunteers in Steinbach