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PR 75-2020

14 December 2020, Toronto, Ontario - In support of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December 2020, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto conducted an online Information Session on Violence Against Women for its personnel and those of the attached agencies on 9 December 2020. The webinar was conducted by Ms. Maricela Lozano and Ms. Marybeth Durante, Manager and Customer Representative, respectively of the Interpreter Services Toronto, an employment purpose enterprise of the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic (BSCC).

This is the second year that the Barbra Schlifer gave a seminar on Violence Against Women. Ms. Lozano and Ms. Durante discussed about abuse against women and domestic violence, especially during these challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. They also reported on the correlation between abuse and power and the kinds and signs of abuse. Ms. Lozano mentioned the reasons why some women and girls do not report abuse and will not leave a relationship even if they are being abused. They also provided the contact information of the Canadian agencies where abused women can get help and assistance, including the BSCC.

The BSCC is a Toronto-based, non-profit agency that offers legal representation, professional counselling and multilingual interpretation to women experiencing violence. It was formed in 1987, with the Interpreter Services Toronto forming in 2009. It is a specialized clinic for women of all cultures and backgrounds experiencing violence. They work strictly with confidentiality for all their client’s cases and information is never shared outside of the client and their designated case worker without explicit consent. As a result of their services, their clients experience less isolation, more stability, and expanded personal agency within relationships. Some Filipino-Canadians like Ms. Durante with background on social works in the Philippines are also working with BSCC and similar specialized agencies in Canada.

A Q&A followed the VAW presentation, which was well-received by the officers and staff of the Consulate General and the personnel of the attached Philippine government agencies (POLO, Trade Office Section, SSS, and Pagibig). Consul General Orontes V. Castro presented Misses Lozano and Durante with Certificates of Appreciation to express his appreciation for conducting the online information session. He also emphasized the importance of such seminars for the Consulate General to gain knowledge and acquire skills in dealing with VAW cases to better serve distressed Filipinos under its jurisdiction, especially during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. - END

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PR 72-2020

26 November 2020, City of Toronto – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto is pleased to announce that the Province of Manitoba issued a Proclamation on 25 November 2020 on the Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines. The Proclamation was signed by the Honorable Cathy Cox, Minister of Sport, Culture and Heritage, Province of Manitoba.

The Consulate General requested Honorable Jon Reyes and Honorable Malaya Marcelino, Filipino-Canadians elected Members of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, to initiate similar Proclamations on the Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines after the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) and the Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) approved their separate Proclamations on the Quincentennial Jubilee of Christianity in the Philippines on 17 and 29 September 2020, respectively. MLA Reyes actively worked with the Office of Minister Cox on the approval and signing of the Proclamation.

The Proclamation from the Province of Manitoba recognizes the significant contributions of Filipino-Canadians to social, economic, and cultural makeup of the country of Canada. It cited the importance of Filipino culture in the Province of Manitoba which proclaimed in 2019 the month of June as Philippine Heritage Month every year. The Proclamation likewise recognizes the 500th anniversary of the arrival of Christianity in the Philippines.

Through the Proclamation, Minister Cox proclaims the year 2021 as Quincentennial Commemorations of the Philippines in the Province of Manitoba and encourages all Canadian citizens in the province to support this once in a lifetime event that promotes unique and diverse traditions and cultures in the Province of Manitoba.END

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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

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PR 71-2020

23 November 2020, Toronto, Ontario – The Philippine Consulate General of Toronto organized an online seminar on “Basic Tax Information Training”, in partnership with the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (AFCA). The webinar on 20 November 2020 was attended by members of the Filipino Canadian community in Post’s jurisdiction, as well as the Consulate officers and staff and their dependents.

The webinar was organized as part of the Consulate General’s continuing effort of reaching out to the Filipino community and as related to our Gender and Development (GAD) programs for both the community and for the Consulate’s personnel.

The webinar was conducted by Mr. Casiano P. Martinez and moderated by Mr. Zaldy M. Perez, both Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in the Philippines and Canada and officers of AFCA. AFCA’s President, Ms. Nimfa Villaroman-Santos was also present and gave her Opening Remarks at the webinar. Consul General Orontes Castro likewise gave his Welcome Remarks to everyone who attended the online tax training.

The webinar discussed, among others, the basis of taxation in Canada, the determination of residency status, information on who should file Income Tax, the age required to file, what income are taxable or reportable and those that are not, the tax filing deadline, the income tax rates in both Federal and Provincial, tax tips and credits, basic information needed by one’s accountant, refundable and non-refundable tax credits, and other deductions such as medical expenses, expenses of seniors living in retirement homes, charitable donations, and moving expenses. Mr. Martinez also replied to queries raised by the attendees and he kindly gave his contact email address so people could send in their queries.

AFCA is an active partner of the Consulate General in Toronto in providing helpful, practical, and effective projects and services to the Filipino-Canadian community in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Before the webinar ended, Consul General Orontes V. Castro thanked AFCA President Ms. Villaroman-Santos for accepting the Consulate General’s invitation to conduct the Tax webinar. He also thanked Messrs. Martinez and Perez by presenting them Certificates of Appreciation, for the informative presentation and for sharing invaluable advice on the Canadian tax system. The Consul General also expressed his appreciation to the participants who took time off their Friday night to attend the webinar - the officers and members of the Filipino-Canadian community and the personnel of the Philippine Consulate General. As of 23 November 2020, the webinar garnered 861 views, 17 likes and 9 shares. END