04 October 2014 – Responding to the clamor of the local Filipino community, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver recently conducted its very first consular outreach service in the picturesque city of Cranbrook in south eastern British Columbia (B.C.) last September 17 to 19 at the College of the Rockies.
Home to about about 120 Filipinos, Cranbrook is a city in southeast British Columbia, located on the west side of the Kootenay River. It is the largest urban centre in the region known as the East Kootenay. As of 2011, Cranbrook's population is 19,364, with a census agglomeration population of 25,037.
Though they are few compared to the Filipino populations of Vancouver, B.C. and Calgary and Edmonton in Alberta, Filipinos in Cranbrook and the neighbouring cities of Fernie and Kimberley in the East Kootenay have been increasingly active in the region’s affairs.
Lourdes Butalid, the founding and immediate past president of the Filipino Association of East Kootenay, said that for two years in a row, they have celebrated Philippine Independence Day with a flag-raising ceremony attended by key city and provincial officials. They have also been inviting officials of the Philippine Consulate General to their community festivities.
The consular team, led by Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer, recorded a total of 681 consular transactions, including 656 e-Passport applications; 16 notarials; and one dual citizenship application. The team also registered a total of 148 overseas voters.
Aside from leading the consular outreach service, Consul General Ferrer had an audience with Filipino community leaders and members, Cranbrook Mayor Wayne Stetski, Kimberley Mayor Ron Mc Rae, other officials of the two cities, and members of their respective Chambers of Commerce.
He also met with College of the Rockies President David Walls and International Department Director Pat Bowron to discuss opportunities for partnerships in training and education with Philippine learning institutions.
In his meetings with officials and business groups, Consul General Ferrer made a presentation on trade and investment opportunities in the Philippines and on the second Winter Escapade Tour early next year, which is jointly organized by the Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in Canada with the Department of Tourism. END