PH envoy promotes embassy advocacies in community programs

Ambassador Garcia

The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa renewed its call for Filipino communities in Ottawa and Montreal to perform their civic duties in the spirit of giving this Christmas season.

At the annual ‘Pasko ng Bayan’ in Ottawa on Dec. 6, Amb. Petronila P. Garcia took a moment to pray with the audience for provinces in the path of Typhoon Ruby/Hagupit. She recalled the role of Filipino communities and the Canadian government in rebuilding lives shattered by Typhoon Haiyan. She also thanked the federal government for offering to extend humanitarian assistance anew in areas affected by the latest typhoon to hit the country.

On the same day, Christian Paradis, minister of International Development, and Joe Oliver, minister of Finance, issued statements affirming Canada’s readiness to support relief efforts in the Philippines and to deploy its Interdepartmental Strategic Support Team (ISST) to assess the needs in provinces lying in the path of Typhoon Hagupit.

Ambassador Garcia also called upon the Filipino community to take time to register as overseas voters for the 2016 national elections, participate in Winter Escapade 2, and support the Embassy’s cultural activities in 2015.

On Dec.7, the ambassador echoed these messages at the 25th anniversary gala reception of the Filipino Catholic Mission of Montreal at Place Victoria and the Hiligaynon Christmas Party at the Assumption Church in Ottawa.

“We will look back to 2014 as another good year for bilateral relations and close collaboration with the Filipino community. I have been exercising my functions for barely four months but I have received so much support from both the community and federal government. I see great prospects ahead for Philippines-Canada relations and look forward to stronger partnerships with the Filipino communities across Canada,” Ambassador Garcia said.