#103: Help for the Philippines

The government of Canada is responding positively to our typhoon ravaged country. Canada recently announced special immigration measures for typhoon victims in the Philippines.

Effective immediately, Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s (CIC) visa office in the Philippines is responding on a priority basis for those directly affected by the disaster.

This will be applied to new and existing applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons who have close family members in the Philippines. They must, however, identify themselves as being directly and significantly affected by the current situation and notify CIC.

 In addition, CIC also posted a guide (FAQ) about priority processing in this link.

This is a great gesture from the Canadian government to reunite Filipinos in Canada with their families back home. Canada is definitely a great place to live specially with their Universal Health Care System, a system that is seems to be impossible to attain in the U.S.

Also related to the calamity in the Philippines, the Abranian Association of America in San Jose President Mr. Julieto "Juli" Elpa Dizon calls for help in this post at abrenian.com.

An effort to help the affected Abrenian students in Metro Manila by the Abranian Association of America in San Jose, under the leadership of its President, Mr. Julieto "Juli" Elpa Dizon is ongoing. Displaced students are being contacted to determine their immediate needs. You will be updated with their progress in the immediate future and on how you can help in alleviating their plight.

Please pass along these important announcements to your relatives and friends.