Vancouver, 17 December 2024 – The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver celebrated the “Month of Overseas Filipinos” with a roundtable dialogue on migration on 13 December 2024. With the theme “Navigating New Horizons: Addressing Settlement and Integration Challenges for Overseas Filipinos,” officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)’ Offices of Migration Affairs and American Affairs, all Philippine Foreign Service Posts (FSPs) and Honorary Consulates in Canada, and other stakeholders from the Filipino community in British Columbia participated in the roundtable to discuss settlement and integration challenges confronting Overseas Filipinos (OFs) in Canada.
The roundtable resources speakers, namely, DFA-Undersecretary for Migration Affairs Eduardo José De Vega, Migration Affairs Assistant Secretary Robert Ferrer Jr., Mr. Stephen Andrada, Ms. Letty Young, Ms. Bella Cenezero, Ms. Erie Maestro, and Ms. Julie Diesta provided the participants with insights and practical approaches that illuminate the complexities of the settlement and integration journey of OFs in Canada.
The Open Forum accorded all of the participants of the roundtable dialogue with the platform to openly discuss the issues being faced by Filipinos who migrated to Canada brought about by the process of having their credentials recognized by Canada and the latter’s changing policies on immigration. The participants also exchanged views on the possible solutions to the aforementioned challenges.
Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin, in her closing remarks, assured everyone who participated in the roundtable dialogue of the commitment of all FSPs in Canada to support OFs in Canada through the provision of excellent and responsive Assistance-to Nationals and consular services. She encouraged all participants to carry forward the insights from the roundtable discussions to build a future where all Filipinos, regardless of where they are in the world, are united towards a common goal of living with dignity and prosperity. END
