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SECRETARY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ENRIQUE MANALO AND ONTARIO PREMIER DOUG FORD DISCUSS WAYS TO PROMOTE WELFARE AND INTERESTS OF FILIPINO DIASPORA
2024-05-15
Ontario Premier Doug Ford with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo (photo courtesy of Province of Ontario)
Toronto, 09 May 2024 – Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo met with Ontario Premier Doug Ford during his official visit to Toronto. Premier Ford acknowledged the significant contributions of Filipinos to Ontario’s development while Secretary Manalo expressed gratitude for the hospitality and the opportunities provided by Ontario to Filipinos.
Secretary Manalo conveyed the Philippine government’s hope for the continued support of the province in streamlining credentials recognition for internationally trained and educated professionals and strengthening protection for foreign workers and international students. Premier Ford conveyed the Ontario government’s commitment to address the concerns of the Filipino community.
Secretary Manalo and Premier Ford also discussed opportunities for cooperation on trade and investment, energy security and people to people exchanges.
During the meeting, Premier Ford was joined by Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini, Special Advisor to the Premier Mr. Anish Dwivedi and Director of Policy Mr. Kyles Fritz. Secretary Manalo was accompanied by Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria, Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga of the Office of American Affairs, Consul General Angelica Escalona, Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague and Special Assistant Tanya Faye Ramiro.
According to the 2021 Census of Statistics Canada, the Province of Ontario has the largest number of Filipinos in Canada at 363,650, which represents 38% of the total number of Filipinos in the country. END
Premier Ford and Secretary Manalo discuss the concerns of the Filipino diaspora in Ontario (photo courtesy of Province of Ontario)
(Left to right) Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini, Premier Ford, Secretary Manalo, Philippine Ambassador to Canada Maria Andrelita Austria, Consul General Angelica Escalona, Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga and Special Assistant Tanya Faye Ramiro. (photo courtesy of Province of Ontario)