Philippine Ambassador Robles visits Alberta

Alberta Filipino Journal publisher Jun Angeles welcomes fellow Quezonian, Philippine ambassador to Canada, Rodolfo Robles (left), at the Palabok House Restaurant, June 15, in Edmonton. At the center is Consul-General Zaldy Patron.

PH embassy officials, organization leaders to work on reducing hurdles on credential recognition

Philippine ambassador to Canada Rodolfo Robles said it is his “personal advocacy” to have Philippine-licensed professionals go through a smooth and easier credential recognition in Canada.

Speaking before fellow Quezonians, June 15, at the Palabok House Restaurant in Edmonton, the ambassador, who started serving since 2020, said they have started with registered nurses and will work also on other professional recognitions.

He also spoke about their current work at another gathering of Filipino organization leaders organized by Consul-General Zaldy Patron, June 16, at the Holiday Inn where ideas and suggestions were relayed to the ambassador.

Josie Pollard of the Filipino Saranays said that registered nurses should not be working in Tim’s or McDonald’s but in hospitals.

Ambassador Robles said he is saddened upon learning that experienced professionals could not immediately practice their professions in Canada because of the regulations set by governing bodies and that is why they are steadily working on it with the help of various stakeholders.

Consul-General Zaldy Patron encouraged the Filipino organization leaders to also seek the help of their legislative assembly representatives to help them as credential recognitions vary in its process for every province.

Edmonton-based lawyer Joseph Angeles also sought the help of the Philippine officials with regards to lawyers who immigrated to Canada and ambassador Robles, a lawyer and former law dean, said they will work on it when the position papers are submitted to them.

Angeles, who runs Angeles Law Firm, told the Alberta Filipino Journal that there is a need to have an advocate, one each for a profession pointing out the presence of professional colleges and societies that govern and set rules for professionals.

Nicky Gocuan, president of the Philippine Media Association of Alberta, suggested that Philippine professionals could start getting the credential recognition requirement while still in the Philippines with the assistance of approving bodies in Canada so that by the time they migrate to Canada, they will not be finding other type of work just to “survive”.

The Filipino organization representatives also said that Filipinos would do whatever to comply with regulations in order to practice their professions but what they are looking forward to is for them to be able to attain it with fewer hurdles, if possible.

Philippine ambassador to Canada Rodolfo Robles and wife Nora (10th from left, front row) with Quezonians and guests, June 15, at the Palabok House Restaurant in Edmonton.(Photo by Moses Billacura/AFJ)

L-R: Marilda Kane, Ambasador Robles and wife Nora, ConGen Zaldy, and Aimee Symington (Photo by Lito Velasco/AFJ)

Photo by Lito Velasco/AFJ

Rose De Rosario (right) discusses nurses' issues with Philippine ambassador to Canada Rodolfo Robles during a gathering of Quezonians, June 15, at the Palabok House Restaurant in Edmonton.(Photo by Moses Billacura/AFJ)

Photo by Moses Billacura/AFJ

DOST Scholars in Alberta Clare Maristela Galon, Christy Marie Alsado, Karla Christina Cruz and Danielito Dollete graced the Townhall Meeting organized by the Consulate General's Office Calgary, June 16, at the Holiday Inn in Edmonton. (Photo by Moses Billacura/AFJ)

Attorney Joseph Angeles (left) and Philippine Ambassador Rodolfo Robles further discuss important issues after the Townhall Meeting organized by the Consulate General's Office Calgary, June 16, at the Holiday Inn in Edmonton. (Photo by Moses Billacura/AFJ)