Press Release No.181
19 April 2003

Consulate, Toronto Filipinos allay fears of Fil-Community re SARS

The Philippine Consulate-General in Toronto, Ontario and the Filipino Centre, Toronto (FCT)have asked members of various Filipino-Canadian organizations in the Toronto area to remain calm about the latest cluster of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) cases identified with the Bukas Loob sa Diyos (BLD), a religious group made up of mostly Filipino families in Toronto.

Vice-Consul Edgar Badajos, Acting Head of the Consulate, issued the call even as Toronto public health officials confirmed that all members of the BLD, numbering about 600, have been put on quarantine in an effort to arrest the spread of the infection.  In his call, Badajos assured his constituency that Philippine officials maintain constant touch with Toronto public health authorities for this purpose.

Badajos also expressed appreciation for the way the Filipino community has been very cooperative with both Philippine and Canadian authorities.  The Catholic Church itself, in this Lenten season, is also modifying some of its age-old traditions and practices such as
shaking hands to wish one another peace during Holy Mass and drinking from a common cup at communion afterwards.  He cites Mrs. Linda C. Javier and other officers of the FCT for acting as the "voice" of the Filipino-Canadian community in the fight against SARS.

A SARS advisory prepared by Dr. Mario Andres of the FCT intended for Fil-Canadian organizations in the Greater Toronto Area recommends the temporary suspension of non-essential group meetings or activities.

Badajos ended his call by reiterating the Philippine Government's concern for the medical condition and the speedy recovery of the
affected BLD families and other groups or individuals who have been hit.  He also asked community members to continue cooperating with Toronto public health officials in the fight against SARS even if it means doing many things very differently from the usual.