Canadian ambassador visits Oro

• Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/local-news/2015/07/06/canadian-ambassador-visits-oro-417436
• Monday, July 6, 2015

By Lynyrd Alexsei N. Corrales

CANADIAN Ambassador Neil Reeder dropped by Cagayan de Oro on Monday to meet with local government officials and other groups as part of his travels in the Philippines’ countryside to renew the ties and invoke stronger human connections.

Speaking before City Hall employees during Monday's flag raising ceremony, Reeder said this is his first visit to the city and that he finds Kagay-anons having the same values as Canadians.

Eileen San Juan, economic and investment promotions officer of the Cagayan de Oro Trade and Investment Promotion Center (ORO-TIPC), said Reeder is in the city to explore areas where the Canadian government can be of assistance.

Reeder had come from Davao City.

San Juan said Reeder is particularly interested in connecting Rotary Clubs in Canada to the city for the possible provision of hospital equipments.

Reeder made the offer, San Juan said, after hearing Moreno speak about the needs of the JR Borja Memorial City Hospital.

Reeder also talked about the Green City Program 2020 of Canada, which aims to make Vancouver a green city, a program that Cagayan de Oro might be able to adapt, San Juan said.

Reeder also related some interesting tidbits of President Benigno Aquino III’s May 2015 State Visit.

“PNoy (Aquino) planted a small tree beside the tree his mother, the late former President Corazon Cojuangco-Aquino, planted 26 years ago when she visited there,” Reeder said.

“Like the trees planted there, so has the relationship of the Philippines and Canada, prospered,” he said.

There are about 800,000 Canadians of Filipino origin that includes a sizable community of Kagay-anons.

According to San Juan, Filipino-Canadians in North America and delegates from Cagayan de Oro City will meet up in Vancouver, Canada from July 31 to August 2 of this year for a fellowship event called Tapok.

San Juan said Moreno plans to be in this year’s affair to renew ties and to encourage investments from Kagay-anons now residing in Canada.

The City held this event for the last 15 years. The event is held every two years, alternating with Duaw.

Duaw, also held every two years, is the homecoming event of Kagay-anons from all over the world.