28 September 2005 --  The Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, Canada reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that in line with the Philippine Government’s thrust towards the promotion and protection of the interest and welfare of overseas workers, the Embassy will conduct another orientation-seminar on Saturday, 01 October, for new arrivals in Ottawa, Kingston and Montreal. The seminar will be offered free of charge.

A project of Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto, the orientation-seminar is in keeping with the Embassy’s commitment to fulfill its role of keeping watch over Filipino workers under its jurisdiction.

Dubbed as Orientation-Seminar for Manggagawang Pilipino sa Canada, the information session will be held at the St. Brigid’s Parish Hall in Ottawa. It will feature talks by Canadian immigration officials, Philippine government representatives, as well as leaders of Filipino community organizations ministering specifically to migrants.

Among the resource persons are a representative from the Ottawa Community Immigrant Services Organization, an organization assisting newcomers to Ottawa with immigration matters, job search and housing; Mr.  Emilio Binavince, a Filipino-Canadian lawyer with an established private practice in Ontario; and Mr. Byron Pfeiffer, an immigration lawyer and consultant based in Ottawa.

Also addressing the participants are Ms. Sonia Del Rosario, Philippine Centre Canada chairperson, who will talk on the Filipino-Canadian community, particularly in Ottawa; Ms. Annie Miaral, president of the Philippine Folk Arts Society based in Quebec, who will provide valuable insights to the participants on the life of a migrant in Canada; Ms. Nena Garfit, president of the Filipino-Canadian Association of Kingston; and Mrs. Virginia Levesque and Ms. Bernadette Solis, both  active officials of the Pastoral Care for Migrants, who will both touch on their group’s ministry for newly-arrived migrants and will share their experiences as migrants to Canada.

Consul General Joseph Gerard B. Angeles will discuss the Overseas Absentee Voting Law as well as the Embassy’s consular services and Labor Representative Rolando Rico C. Olalia will speak on labor issues and concerns of Filipino caregivers in Canada, especially pertaining to the Live-In Caregiver Program.

Participants and resource speakers will share a buffet dinner hosted by Ambassador Benedicto. Certificates of participation will be handed out by Ambassador Benedicto at the end of the seminar. END