PHL consulate in Toronto helps 1,255 Pinoys

At least 1,255 Filipinos based in Canada benefited from an outreach program conducted by the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto last July 8 to 10. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Consul General Pedro Chan led the consular team in serving Filipinos in Winnipeg, Manitoba and its outlying areas. “The consular team attended to over 1,255 Filipinos. Some 1,000 Filipinos applied for the electronic passport (e-passport). A significant number of Filipinos also availed of notarial services," the DFA said in a statement. A huge turn-out of applicants prompted the team to work up to 5:30 a.m. the following day to accommodate as many applicants as possible, the DFA said. Upon arrival in Winnipeg, the team immediately set up its equipment and started consular services, it said. Other members of the consular team included Consul J. Susana Paez, John Reandino, Evangeline Cayongcat, Lilian Navalta, Jose Mari Fedelicio, Emma Manrique, and Concepcion Gonzales. Helping them were the father-and-son publishing team of Rod and Ronald Cantiveros, and Ronaldo Opina and his staff, who served as volunteers. The consular outreach program was the second mobile consular outreach program conducted by the Consulate General in Manitoba in less than a year, the DFA said. — JE, GMA News