Filipino-canadians Hailed For Role In Nation-building

COMMISSION on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) Chairman Secretary Dante Ang II hailed the more than 1 million Filipinos in Canada for their contributions to Canadian society and the Philippines, saying the diaspora community has become an important partner in nation-building.

“Filipinos are thriving in Canada, and from our perspective at home, we're all very proud of what you are doing here,” Ang said during a leadership forum at the recent Federation of Canadian-Filipino Associations convention.

Ang joined Filipino-Canadian leaders, including Minister of Small Business Rechie Valdez, the first Filipino-Canadian appointed to the federal Cabinet; Sen. Flordeliz Osler; and Philippine Ambassador to Canada Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, in discussing the community’s achievements, challenges and prospects.

The forum focused on three major themes: strengthening Filipino identity and community engagement, understanding the evolving realities of Filipino-Canadians, and promoting leadership and innovation in the digital age.

Valdez said the Filipino-Canadian community is united, engaged and ready to take on a greater role in Canada’s political, economic and social life.

Ang said the success of Filipino migrants and their descendants abroad reflects not only individual achievement but also the growing influence of the Filipino diaspora.

The CFO has consistently emphasized the role of permanent migrants, naturalized citizens and dual citizens as cultural ambassadors of the Philippines and potential partners in national development through philanthropy, trade, investment, professional networks and knowledge-sharing.

The agency’s mandate includes promoting the welfare, cultural identity and educational interests of Filipinos overseas, particularly permanent residents and naturalized citizens, under Republic Act (RA) 8042 and Executive Order (EO) 728.

Ang said the CFO is increasingly seeking to move beyond its traditional administrative functions and strengthen its role in diaspora engagement and development.

This includes tapping the skills, expertise, financial resources and global networks of Filipinos overseas while maintaining strong ties between diaspora communities and the Philippines.

The CFO’s work complements that of the Department of Migrant Workers, which primarily handles Filipino migrant workers employed abroad on temporary or contract-based arrangements, including overseas employment, deployment and labor concerns.

The CFO, by contrast, focuses on permanent immigrants, dual citizens and established Filipino communities overseas.

A key concern discussed during the forum was preserving Filipino identity among second- and third-generation Filipino-Canadians, many of whom were born and raised in Canada.

Ang highlighted the CFO’s Youth Leaders in the Diaspora (YouLeaD) program, which provides cultural immersion and leadership opportunities designed to reconnect young overseas Filipinos with their Filipino heritage.

The initiative forms part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen diaspora ties among younger generations while encouraging them to become active contributors to both their host communities and the Philippines.

Ang said the growing success and influence of Filipino-Canadians demonstrate the potential of the diaspora to serve as a bridge between Canada and the Philippines and contribute to stronger people-to-people, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.