17 June 2018, Edmonton – Consul General Gilberto Asuque (photo left) encouraged the directors of the newly organized Philippine Business Society of Alberta (PBSA) to promote Philippine products and invite entrepreneurs or investors in Alberta Province to enter into joint ventures with Filipino counterparts.

In administering the oath of the directors, Consul General Asuque said the PBSA could be the forum that can provide the links between businessmen,  traders and investors in the Philippines and Alberta Province especially in the promotion of food and other agricultural products, industrial or manufactured equipment or parts, electronic components and household accessories.

Amb. Petronila Garcia witnessed the oath-taking of the PBSA directors and, in her remarks (photo below), stressed the importance of the Filipino diaspora in Alberta in the success of their business in the province.   The Ambassador noted that the Filipino migrants comprise one of the largest and fastest growing ethnocultural groups in Canada.  Alberta had the third highest number of total immigrants out of all provinces and territories for those arriving between 2011-2016.  Approximately 20.9% of the Filipino population in Canada lives in Alberta.  As of 2016, approximately 175,130 individuals with Filipino ethnic origins reside in Alberta.

The PBSA is a business society  registered under the Business Corporations Act of Alberta and headed by Mr. Celso Andrade.  The PBSA aims to promote in Alberta the interests of the Filipino business enterprises in the Province, assist in opening the market for Philippine products, encourage investments in the Philippines through joint ventures or partnerships, and provide a forum to discuss business interests and link to enterprises in the Province.  The PBSA directors are Mr. Noel Tarriela, Mr. Nap Gutierrez, Ms. Margaret Amangyen, Mr. Nimrod Montano, Mr. Arnel Zabala, Ms. Virginia Sumalinog, Ms. Rebecca Lasquety, Mr. Resty Reyes, Mr. Philip Aseron, Mr. Chris Ayson, Ms. Eden Codizal, Mr. Jaime Balmores, Ms. Mia Mulingtapang, Ms. Vilma Agasino and Ms. Marjorie Newman.