PH Consulate General in Toronto Holds Virtual Meeting with Brampton Councillor, Filcom Leaders

Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro (top row, rightmost), with Brampton Councillor Rowena Santos (bottom row, rightmost), Consul Edwin Gil Mendoza (top row, leftmost), Mitchell Arrojado (bottom row, second from left), Norie Blohm (bottom row, leftmost), and Bobby Nacpil (bottom row, third from left) of the Federation of Filipino Canadians of Brampton during the virtual meeting on 12 August 2020.

TORONTO 19 August 2020 – The Philippine Consulate General in Toronto led by Philippine Consul General Orontes V. Castro conducted a virtual meeting with Brampton City Councillor Rowena Santos, her staff, and officials of the Federation of Filipino Canadians of Brampton led by its President, Mitchell Arrojado, on 12 August 2020.

Consul General Castro welcomed the participants and stated that there is interest in enhancing the cultural and economic relations between the Cities of Marikina and Brampton. Citing the cities’ twinning agreement in 2005, he remarked on the opportunity for greater engagement through visits of government officials, trade and business missions, business forums, and cultural exchanges. Consul General Castro also invited Councillor Santos and her business delegation to visit the Philippines, including New Clark City, in the future.

Councillor Santos said that the Filipino community is one of the fastest growing communities in the Peel region, including Brampton City. She expressed support for initiatives that deepen engagement between Brampton and Marikina and stated that she will actively work with the Brampton City Council to push for activities that would promote such stronger ties, including the revival of the two cities’ twinning agreement. 

In recent years, there has been greater demand for strengthening relations between Brampton and the Philippines due mainly to the increasing Filipino diaspora in the area.

For his part, Mr. Arrojado expressed his support for and cooperation with Councillor Santos’ initiatives. END

Brampton Councillor Rowena Santos' tweet on the virtual meeting held on 12 August 2020.

Philippine Consul General to Toronto Orontes V. Castro (center) calls on Brampton City Mayor Patrick Brown (rightmost) and Councillor Rowena Santos (leftmost) on 02 March 2020 in Brampton City Hall, Brampton, Ontario. (Toronto PCG photo)

For more information, visit https://www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philcongen-toronto.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto/.