Advisories & News
Press Release
PH Consulate General in Toronto holds Virtual Meetings with Filipino Canadian Legislators of Manitoba
2020-11-06
PR 68-2020
05 Oct. 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto officials, led by Consul General Orontes Castro, along with officials of POLO Toronto, Labor Officer Atty. Rachel Zozobrado-Nagayo and Welfare Officer Maria Lourdes Reyes, Senior Trade Commissioner (STC) Ma. Roseni Alvero of the Trade Section Office and Philippine Honorary Consul to Winnipeg Ronaldo Opina conducted a virtual meeting via ZOOM with two Filipino-Canadian Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) of Manitoba, Canada, Honorable Jon Reyes and Honorable Malaya Marcelino on 9 September 2020. Honorable Reyes is the current MLA for Waverley while Honorable Marcelino is the MLA for Notre Dame. Consul General Castro also paid a courtesy call to the two legislators.
Consul General Castro, in his remarks, stated that the Filipino Community in Manitoba continues to grow and that Filipinos are employed in the agriculture, services and health sectors, among others. He expressed gratitude to the Manitoba Government for their kind treatment of Filipino immigrants and workers in the province and the financial support that the latter received during the COVID-19 pandemic. He mentioned that the Philippines continues to enjoy an investment-grade credit rating and while it has suffered from the pandemic, similar to other countries, it has shown signs of resilience.
Honorable Reyes provided a brief history of the arrival of Filipinos in Canada, specifically in Manitoba and how the Philippines has consistently been in the top source countries for immigrants to Manitoba over the last 10 years, totaling approximately 40,000 individuals in that time period. He delineated the bilateral relations between Manitoba and the Philippines, including merchandise trade between them over the years, and the agreements concluded between educational institutions and government agencies from both sides. The huge population of residents of Filipino descent in the province also encouraged Jollibee and other leading food companies to set up branches in Winnipeg City. Over the years, the Filipino community has had a huge impact on the province’s politics, economy and culture.
Labor Officer Zozobrado-Nagayo presented the functions of POLO Toronto, including verification of employment contracts, accreditation of foreign placement agencies, and provision of welfare benefits to Filipino workers. Welfare Officer Reyes also explained that OWWA provides insurance and welfare benefits for Filipino workers and medical assistance for distressed Filipino workers.
STC Alvero pointed out the various programs planned for Manitoba including a Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhayan (TNK) event which involves in-store promotion activities featuring Filipino food products and a movie on Filipino food. At present, the Trade Office Section is holding webinars on trade, investments and entrepreneurship for OFs.
Honorable Marcelino stated that there is a huge potential for stronger economic integration between Manitoba and the Philippines in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors. A direct flight between Manitoba and the Philippines would result in increased trade and employment between the two sides. She also said that in the current pandemic, Manitoba offers free COVID-19 testing and screening for persons living in the province regardless of their status.
The meeting also discussed consular services for Filipino and Filipino-Canadian residents in Manitoba, potential trade and investment collaborations between the Philippines and Manitoba and collaborative socio-cultural programs that may be pursued in the future.
Meeting with Honorable Jon Reyes, MLA for Waverley
Another virtual meeting was held between PCG Toronto officials, headed by Consul General Orontes Castro, and Honorable Jon Reyes, MLA for Waverley on 18 September 2020 via ZOOM. Honorable Reyes reiterated his interest to pursue stronger trade relations between Manitoba and the Philippines and one of the drivers for this would be the strong connections of several Filipinos and Filipino-Canadians residing in Manitoba with the Philippines. He recommended that a trade mission from the Philippines visit Manitoba in the near future. He also stated that there is also a huge potential for growth in bilateral trade between Manitoba and the Philippines if PAL flights would come to the province.
Consul General Castro agreed that there is a potential for stronger ties between Manitoba and the Philippines. He said that cooperation in the energy sector can be pursued through exchanges of experts and with Filipino students coming to Manitoba to take course on the energy sector in its universities.
The meeting also discussed other areas of cooperation such as holding Filipino cultural events and possible activities by the Filipino Community in Manitoba related to the Quincentennial Commemorations in the Philippines in 2021. -END
