Filipino workers needed in BC
Thu, December 13 2007
By Mata Press Service
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Jose S. Brillantes |
The announcement was made by Philippine Ambassador to Canada, Jose S. Brillantes, during a special meeting with leaders and members of various Filipino organizations in Metro-Vancouver hosted by the Philippine Canada Trade Council and the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver held at a packed Corpus Christie Gym.
Brillantes said that Philippine Labor Sec. Arturo D. Brion will be in Vancouver on Dec 19 to sign an agreement with his counterpart in B.C. to improve the system of hiring of skilled workers and other professionals through B.C.’s Provincial Nominee Program.
“The agreement will widely open the doors for our workers,” says Brillantes. “It is really going to be a chance for all to be able to take advantage of this good fortune that ‘smiled our way’.”
Brillantes added that the job opportunities will be open for Filipinos starting next year in preparation for the 2010 Olympics which will be held in Vancouver, Whistler and nearby municipalities in Metro Vancouver.
He said that “this shows Philippine government doing something on special foreign policy that is enshrine in our Constitution to provide protection and promotion of the welfare of overseas Filipinos.”
He explained that unlike the U.S, Australia and other countries, Canada has a unique program for “multiculturalism” allowing many different cultures to enter through the process of immigration. Brillantes said the U.S. and Australia are implementing what is called “the melting pot policy” to bring in the best and brightest Filipinos and all other nationalities like Japanese, Chinese and Europeans.
“They put all the best and brightest foreign workers together to come up with new Americans or Australians,” says Brillantes. “In Canada, we have what we call the ‘mosaic policy’ where the best and the brightest are put together to form a kaleidoscope of different nationalities.”
“Here you can clearly see who are the Koreans, Japanese and Filipinos with the mosaic policy of Canada,” Brillantes adds. He said that Canada is in fact helping promote the Filipino culture and many in instances is even providing funding in order to do this. “Where else can you find a host country doing this, except in Canada.”
On foreign exchange remittances, which has become the “life-line” for the recovery of the Philippine economy, overseas Filipinos are now the driving force behind economic stability.
Among those resource speakers include Immigration lawyer Catherine Sas, Chito Gonzales of Western Union, Multi-Cultural Helping House Exec Director Eleanor Guerrero-Campbell and Consul Raul S. Hernandez. PCTC vice president Grace Santos-Ocampo introduced the guest speaker and PCTC president Cholo Insua made the closing remark. Rene Trinidad acted as the Master of Ceremony with singer Marife Furber.
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