The Philippine Embassy received the leaders of the Filipino Community in Gatineau, the latest association of the Filipino diaspora in the Ottawa-Gatineau National Capital Region. Led by registered nurse Harvey Gaso, the delegation included Ms. Armie Cortez, B.S.N., and Ms. Dember Gaso, B.S.N. Deputy Chief of Mission Francisco Noel Fernandez III and Consul General Alan Deniega provided the leaders with an overview of the consular services offered by the diplomatic mission in Ottawa over lunch at the Kagitingan Meeting Room of the Chancery. Assistance-to-Nationals Officer Teresa Benitez-Bragais and Attaché Aisha Turingan joined the luncheon.

The Embassy has seen an influx of Filipino landed immigrants in the Province of Quebec in recent years, many of whom have credentials in medical-related professions. More than a thousand of them have settled in Gatineau, situated across the Ottawa River from English-speaking Ottawa, as they transition to Canadian life.