Push for licensing and full practice of PH-trained professionals

Philippienreporter.com
Dec. 5, 2022

The First Filipino-Canadian Professionals Convention in Ontario was held on 27 October 2022 at the auditorium of the Improve Canada Mall, 7250 Keele St., Vaughan, Ontario, Canada. The Convention, with the theme “Integrating Filipino Professionals in Canada”, is intended to facilitate information dissemination and sharing of best practices on getting a license and to fully practice their respective professions in Canada.

The Convention was organized by the Philippine Consulate General in partnership with 10 Filipino-Canadian Professional organizations in Ontario representing nurses, dentists, physiotherapists, engineers, architects, construction professionals, realtors, accountants, peace officers and teachers.

Consul General Orontes V. Castro, Hon. Gino Rosati, Local and Regional Councillor, City of Vaughan; and Hon. Steven Del Duca, Mayor-elect, City of Vaughan gave welcome remarks during the opening program. Among the Special Guests were Hon. David Smith, Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) and Parliamentary Assistant to the Ontario Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development; Hon. Charito A. Zamora, Chairperson, Professional Regulation Commission, who gave a recorded message; and Hon. J. Prospero de Vera III, Chairman, Commission on Higher Education (CHED).

PRC Chairperson Zamora noted that the Convention is in line with the thrust of the PRC to have the credentials of Filipino professionals be accredited in the global market. As such, she looks forward to the discussions and outcome of the Convention.

MPP Smith, for his part, highlighted the efforts of Ontario Province to have a clear path for accreditation for internationally-trained professionals, which included removal of the Canadian work experience requirement and reducing language testing requirements. He said that the Province will continue to work closely with the Philippines on the concerns of Filipino workers.

From left: PRC Chairperson Charito A. Zamora, MPP David Smith and CHED Chairman J. Prospero De Vera III delivering their remarks as Special Guests

In his remarks, CHED Chairman De Vera noted that Canada has become a destination of choice for many Filipinos. As such, CHED, in line also with the instructions of President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr., is undertaking reforms on higher education to assist Filipinos working and living all over the world in the recognition of their educational credentials and qualifications.

The second part of the program was the breakout sessions of the different professional organizations to discuss issues and concerns on the accreditation of academic credentials and experience earned in the Philippines; and recommended forward actions. After the breakout sessions, the different groups reconvened for the plenary session during which the Presidents of the professional groups gave their reports.

The highlight of the Convention was the signing of a Resolution by the Presidents of the organization to continue coordination, especially in the implementation of the recommendations; and to hold the Convention on an annual basis to serve as a platform for discussion and policy formulation on the issues and concerns of Filipino professionals in Ontario.

Around 200 Filipino professionals, members of the Consular Corps of Toronto and students attended the event.

The ten Filipino-Canadian Professionals Organizations include the Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants (AFCA); Association of Filipino Canadian Engineers (AFCE); Filipino Construction Professionals of Ontario (FilConPro); Integrated Filipino Canadian Nurses Association (IFCNA); Philippine Teachers Association of Canada (PTAC); United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), Ontario Canada Chapter; Society of Physiotherapists with Foreign Credentials (SPFC); The Filipino Canadian Dental Hygienists’ Society (FCDHS); Peace Officers Living in Canada Integrated Association (POLICIA); and Filipino Canadian Realtors Association (FILCREA).