Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver Drives High-Level Diplomatic and Economic Mission to Victoria with Visiting Philippine Ambassador; B.C. Leadership Affirms Deep Ties with Filipino Community

Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan‑Gonzaga and Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (4th and 3rd from left, respectively) lead the official delegation to the BC Parliament and Victoria City Hall. With them are Protocol Officer Kervin Mon Perez, Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste Valderrama, Ottawa PE Deputy Head of Mission Rea Oreta of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa, and Consul Andre Peter C. Estanislao of Vancouver PCG (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA (14 May 2026) — The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver successfully organized a comprehensive diplomatic mission to the provincial capital, led by Philippine Ambassador to Canada, H.E. José Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga accompanied by Philippine Consul General in Vancouver, Dr. Gina A. Jamoralin. The mission reinforced the strategic partnership between the Philippines and British Columbia, highlighting the Consulate’s proactive role in advancing economic diplomacy and the welfare of the Filipino diaspora.

The day was marked by an institutional honor, as the Ambassador and his delegation were formally introduced by Parliamentary Secretary MLA Susie Chant during Question Period in the Legislative Assembly, followed by a curated tour of the historic Parliament Buildings.

The Ambassador, Consul General and the official delegation stand at the Rotunda of the Legislative Library of the Parliament Buildings of British Columbia. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

Premier David Eby (center) receives Philippine Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga (right) and Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (left) during a courtesy call at the Parliament of British Columbia. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

“It’s hard to imagine a more loved community in our province than the Filipino people,” remarked Premier David Eby during a high-level meeting with the Philippine delegation. He specifically lauded the leadership of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver, stating, “I want to congratulate the Consul General and her entire team for their tireless work; you have been a model of how a diplomatic mission should look after its people.” The Premier particularly commended the Consulate's proactive role as "front and center." in protecting the welfare of Filipinos in the aftermath of the 2025 Lapu-Lapu tragedy.

Against the backdrop of a 165-year shared history—ranging from the 1861 arrival of Benson Flores to the upcoming 70th anniversary of the Vancouver Consulate—Ambassador José Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga engaged the Premier on a strategic agenda. Affirming that bilateral ties are the "best they have ever been," the Premier committed continued provincial support for the community’s "Bayanihan spirit" and underscored his government's dedication to streamlining credential recognition for Filipino professionals. The Ambassador championed the Luzon Economic Corridor as a prime opportunity for B.C. to "Look West" during the Philippines' ASEAN Chairmanship, noting that "Filipinos are our best ambassadors" in building future-ready corridors for energy, digital trade, and regional security.

(Photo above) Philippine and British Columbia officials discuss opportunities for deeper economic cooperation, including the Luzon Economic Corridor, energy security, and potential collaboration in mining and critical minerals. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

(Photo above) Ambassador Chan‑Gonzaga offers Premier Eby premium Philippine single‑origin coffee, highlighting the work of the country’s coffee‑farming communities. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

Deputy Speaker Mable Elmore hosts a luncheon meeting in honor of the Philippine delegation, with discussions focusing on the future of Filipino community infrastructure and the strengthening of organizational capacity in British Columbia. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

During a working lunch hosted by Deputy Speaker Mable Elmore (Vancouver-Kensington), Ambassador Chan-Gonzaga expressed profound gratitude for the MLA’s efforts during the 2025 Lapu-Lapu Block Party tragedy The dialogue shifted to the future of community infrastructure, specifically the rehabilitation of the Philippine Bayanihan Community Center in Victoria and the proposed Filipino Cultural Center in Vancouver. MLA Elmore emphasized that the success of these landmark projects depends on Filipino organizations building greater institutional capacity and unwavering unity—mirroring the organized models of other diaspora groups to ensure the transparency and cohesive voice necessary to secure long-term provincial support and a lasting community legacy in British Columbia.

MLA Elmore also shared that she and her delegation met with Philippine officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs during their visit to Manila and Cebu in January 2026.

Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan‑Gonzaga (right) and Deputy Speaker Mable Elmore (left) exchange views on matters related to Filipino community development in British Columbia. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

The Philippine delegation and Deputy Speaker Elmore pose for a group photo following the luncheon meeting. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan‑Gonzaga (right) meets with Speaker Raj Chouhan (left) at the Speaker’s Office in the Parliament of British Columbia. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

In an engaging meeting where Speaker Raj Chouhan reaffirmed that the provincial government stands "100% behind the Filipino community," Ambassador Chan-Gonzaga highlighted that bilateral relations "could not be in a better place." Recounting his 1985 mission to the Philippines as a young labor leader, the Speaker shared a deep personal connection to the Filipino labor movement. He also praised Post’s comprehensive engagement strategy, stating, "The Consul General and this Consulate have shown extraordinary dedication; your tireless work in serving the community across all sectors, and your impressive navigation of the 2025 Lapu-Lapu tragedy, sets a very high standard for diplomatic service." The dialogue focused heavily on removing barriers to professional integration, with Speaker Chouhan acknowledging the challenges of the "Canadian experience" requirement and affirming that the province is actively working to reform credentialing pathways. To further boost economic and municipal ties, the Speaker who is elected MLA for the Burnaby-New Westminster area enthusiastically supported Consul General Jamoralin’s proposal to re-energize the existing New Westminster–Quezon City Sister City relationship and possible sister city for Burnaby, promising to coordinate with the local Mayor to foster deeper cooperation.

Minister of Health Josie Osborne (left) welcomes Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga (middle) accompanied by Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (right) at the Minister’s Office. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

In a meeting with Health Minister Josie Osborne, Ambassador Chan-Gonzaga proposed options for the Medical Services Plan (MSP) to partner with Philippine health institutions like St. Luke’s Medical Center to allow MSP holders in BC to avail of the Philippines' world-class facilities to complement BC’s medical services for those encountering medical emergencies outside BC. While Minister Osborne noted this would be a novel arrangement for the province, she expressed interest in the proposal and committed to maintain a direct line of communication with the Consulate on credentialing and policy updates.

Consul General Jamoralin reinforced this partnership by inviting the Minister’s team to the upcoming online Post-Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) on August 29 to provide healthcare professionals with a clear, official roadmap to practice. The dialogue also touched on expanding bridging programs for spouses of work permit holders and utilizing virtual technology for clinical internships, with the Consul General emphasizing that "correct and timely information" through official channels remains the best tool for the successful integration of the Philippine medical workforce in British Columbia.

Ambassador Chan‑Gonzaga and Minister Osborne go over efforts to integrate the Philippine medical workforce and improve coordination on credentialing and new policy updates. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

BC Health officials review possible participation in Vancouver PCG’s and the Migrant Workers Office`s  initiatives for health care professionals. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

Minister Ravi Kahlon (middle) accords a courtesy meeting to Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan‑Gonzaga (right) and Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin (left) at the Minister’s Office. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

In a strategic session focused on trade and industrial synergy, Minister Ravi Kahlon (Jobs and Economic Growth) outlined B.C.’s "Look West" economic policy, positioning the Philippines as a top-tier Indo-Pacific partner in sectors such as shipbuilding, aerospace, and AI. Ambassador Chan-Gonzaga championed the Luzon Economic Corridor and its 4,000-acre "AI-native" hub as a premier ecosystem for B.C. tech firms, while Minister Kahlon invited Philippine leaders to leverage the province's trade strategy during the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Confirming his commitment, the Minister announced plans to lead an economic mission to the Philippines in late 2026 and advocated for the Provincial Nominee pathway to ensure more stable, human-centered immigration outcomes for Filipino workers. Notably, Minister Kahlon took the opportunity to commend Consul General Jamoralin and the Consulate for their tireless efforts in bridging economic gaps and protecting the welfare of the diaspora, ensuring that the partnership remains grounded in both prosperity and malasakit.

Ambassador Chan‑Gonzaga highlights the Philippines’ Luzon Economic Corridor in his discussion with Minister Kahlon. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

(L-R) Ambassador Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, Victoria City Mayor Marianne Alto, and Consul General Gina A. Jamoralin mark their engagement at Victoria City Hall with a photo. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

The day’s engagements concluded at Victoria City Hall, where Mayor Marianne Alto welcomed the delegation and committed to a formal Proclamation of June as Filipino Heritage Month. Seeking to enhance the Philippines' maritime tourism, the Ambassador looked to Victoria’s sophisticated cruise ship industry as a model for port infrastructure development. Addressing community concerns, Mayor Alto assured the delegation that the city is working closely with the Filipino community in Victoria for a future community center. Mayor Alto also offered the Mayor’s support and cooperation for the yearly consular missions of the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver to Victoria to provide consular services to the Filipino community.

Mayor Alto reiterates Victoria City’s strong partnership with the Filipino community during her engagement with Ambassador Chan‑Gonzaga. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)

The Philippine delegation ends the day with a photo in front of Victoria City Hall after a productive courtesy call with Mayor Alto. (Photo by Vancouver PCG)