Pillars hosts Dual Citizenship presentation

Pillars hosts Dual Citizenship presentation

The Pillars Cultural Association, under the leadership of Gerry Elises, president, and in partnership with The Philippine Consulate Office here in Toronto, are once again running the Dual Citizenship program for 2009 offering the Filipino community the opportunity to reacquire Philippine citizenship under the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003, otherwise known as the Dual Citizenship Law.

Consul Edna May Grecia-Lazaro will speak about the benefits and privileges including the requirements for Dual Citizenship on Saturday July 18 at 2:00pm. The presentation will take place at the Entertainment Room, Mezzanine Floor, Residences on Bay, 1101 Bay St., Toronto. Travelling by TTC, take the Bloor subway line, get off @ Bay station and walk one block south on Bay St. to #1101.

The Philippine Consulate Office encourages all Filipino-Canadians to attend and present all their queries particularly on taxes, properties, education, the right to vote and travel.

The Dual Citizenship Oath taking Ceremony will be administered on Saturday, August 15, 2009. The location will be announced at a later date.

Below are the documents required to be submitted for the Retention & Re-Acquisition of Philippine Citizenship (Dual Citizenship):

Only former natural-born Filipino citizen shall be allowed to take the Oath of Allegiance pursuant to the provisions of the Republic Act No. 9225 or the “Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003.

The applicants are required to submit the following:

1. Birth Certificate

2. Old Philippine passport

3. Certificate of naturalization

4. Foreign passport

5. Marriage contract, if married woman

6. Duly accomplished application form (to be provided)

7. Four (4) pcs of 2×2 picture, front view with white background (colored or black & white )

8. Application fee of CAD$57.50

Please bring all the original documents and submit 2 photocopies of each of the requirements above from 1 to 5.

For children below 18 years old who would qualify for derivative citizenship, original Birth Certificate issued by the NSO or Office of the Registrar General in Canada (long form) should also be submitted.

For more information or to register, please call Gerry Elises at 416-893-7718.

What’s coming to the Pillars Cultural Associaon?

• June 27th – Celebrating June Birthday celebration at Our Lady of Lourdes Church

• July 18th – Dual Citizenship Presentation

• August 1st – 32nd Anniversary & Coronation Ball

• August 15th – Dual Citizenship Oath taking

(PRESS RELEASE, Rheza Evangelista)