60 Fil-Canadians re-acquire PH citizenship

60 Fil-Canadians re-acquire PH citizenship

Alex Sabalza

Consular Outreach in Niagara

By Marylou S. Tiro
The Philippine Reporter

“Call it electrifying!”, “It’s nostalgic!”, “It’s exciting!”.  These were the words that could hardly be expressed by sixty former Filipinos who were overwhelmed with emotions as they pledged their oath of allegiance to the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. For Alex Sabalza of St Catharines, he tried to fight back tears of joy as he recited the oath. Excitedly, he said, “I’m happy to be a Filipino again. I can now live there indefinitely”.

He was echoed by Razel Bugarin “We are proud to be a Filipino at sa bansa nang aming minamahal (and to the country that we dearly love).  Iba talaga ang feeling ng pagiging Pilipino”. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!” (It’s really a different feeling to be a Filipino. Long live the Philippines).

Mr and Mrs Rey and Rachel Bugarin

Bugarin and Sabalza along with the rest of the 58 individuals who attended the oath-taking ceremony hold Canadian and Filipino Dual Citizenship.

According to Republic Act 9225, individuals who reacquire their Filipino citizenship will enjoy the benefits of obtaining full civil and political rights under existing laws in the Philippines such as the right to own land and property in the country along with an exemption from paying Philippine income tax on income earned abroad. More details of dual citizenship are available on the Philippine Embassy’s website https://ottawape.dfa.gov.ph.
Held in St Catharines, Ontario on September 04, 2021, the event was sponsored by the Caregivers and Supporters   Network of Niagara (CANN).

Since CANN’s inception in 2010, the organization had helped caregivers who had been displaced due to immigration and employment problems by providing work placements and welfare assistance. The organization’s fund-drive had also assisted victims of calamities in the Philippines. According to Sally Silva, president of CANN, “we are thankful that the Philippine Consulate came all the way here to Niagara. We really appreciate the time and effort they have dedicated to us. In fact, the event was supposed to be from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. Due to the unexpectedly large number of people, they have stayed late up to 8:00 pm in order to finish their work. It has been a productive event and we feel honored by their presence.”

Led by Hon Orontes V. Castro, Consul General Of Toronto, eleven the staff of the Philippine Consulate offered their Consular services such as Issuance of Passport, Requirements for the Retention and Reacquisition of the Philippine Citizenship, SSS and Voting Registration, Notarial and other legal services.

Hon Orontes V Castro hands over Certificate of Appreciation from the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto to CANN officers Sally Silva, Marylou Tiro, and Grace Rabino during the Consular Outreach Mission in St Catharines, Ontario on Sep. 4.

CANN and the staff of the Philippine Consulate General of Toronto made considerable efforts to check proper documentation of applicants and strictly enforced the wearing of face masks at all times.