Advisories & News
Press Release
MONTH OF OVERSEAS FILIPINOS AND INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY COMMEMORATED IN TORONTO THROUGH INTERNATIONAL FORUM ON MIGRATION
2024-12-08
Attendees during the Forum
8 December 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, in coordination with the Inter-Agency Committee for the celebration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos and International Migrants Day (IAC-MOF), hosted an International Forum on Migration with the theme “Empowering Overseas Filipinos/OFWs Towards Sustainable Reintegration” at the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto.
In her welcome remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria noted the robust Filipino diaspora in Canada and highlighted the need to empower them, especially through more responsive programs on pre-deployment, assistance-to-nationals and diaspora engagement.
Ms. Carmelita G. Nuqui, President, Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW) and IAC-MOF Co-Chair, pointed to the need to strengthen domestic labor markets to mitigate the social costs of migration. Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Secretary Dante Francis M. Ang II and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Undersecretary Eduardo Jose A. de Vega, in recorded video messages, highlighted the importance of the active collaboration of the Filipino diaspora, the Philippine government and civil society partners to constantly improve services to Overseas Filipinos (OFs).
The first part of the Forum centered on the programs and services for migrants, particularly by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)/Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Department of Tourism and the Philippine Migrants Rights Watch (PMRW). The open forum which followed discussed the Philippine government’s policy on migration, credentials recognition, investment opportunities for OFs in the Philippines and programs to assist distressed OFs.
The Forum also featured a panel discussion on success stories of Filipinos in Canada. Among the speakers were Dr. Patrick Alcedo, Professor of Dance at York University; Mr. Nelson Rodriguez, President and CEO of the Rodriguez Group of Companies and franchisee of Potato Corner in Canada; and Ms. Judith Gonzales, a former caregiver and now President of the Professional Career International Enterprises. The discussions, which was moderated by Consul General Rea Oreta of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, highlighted the Filipino values of friendliness, resilience, industriousness and adaptability as important factors for success in Canada. The speakers added that determination to excel and to make a positive impact to the community are likewise crucial for success.
The Forum was capped by updates provided by Pag-IBIG Fund, PhilHealth, Social Security System (SSS) and the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).
As part of the Forum, there were 17 information booths by Philippine government agencies, Filipino community organizations and Canadian non-profit groups providing support services to newcomers and migrants.
A virtual exhibit of the “75 Faces of Migration” project of Philippine Posts in Canada, which showcased 75 Filipinos and Filipino-Canadian trailblazers, was shown at the Forum venue.
Around 140 Filipino migrant workers, international students, permanent residents, dual citizens and Filipino-Canadians attended the event.
On 09 December, the Philippine delegation to the International Forum on Migration had the opportunity to visit Conestoga Meats in Kitchener, Ontario, where around 300 Filipino workers are employed. They also visited the proposed Jose Rizal Memorial site in Niagara Falls.
Ambassador Austria (front row, fourth from right), Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate (third from right) and Consul General Rea Oreta (second from right) with the members of the Philippine delegation to the International Forum on Migration
Attendees inquiring about the programs of Philhealth
Visit of the Philippine delegation to Conestoga Meats in Kitchener, Ontario
Visit of the Philippine delegation to the proposed Jose Rizal Memorial site in Niagara Falls, Ontario