![](https://philcongencalgary.org/public/blogs/2024/02/pcg-calgary-delivers-consular-services-to-filipino-wildfire-victims-in-high-level-alberta20240203015507.png)
23 September
2019, Calgary – A team from the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary,
led by Consul General Zaldy Patron, conducted a special consular outreach in
High Level, Alberta to deliver consular services to the Filipino community who
were affected by the wildfires that raged through the town and nearby areas in
May 2019. The estimated 500 Filipinos in High Level were among the 10,000 wildfire
victims that were evacuated and relocated for weeks in others parts of the
Province of Alberta, Canada. High Level
is located in Northern Alberta and about 1,035 kilometers away from Calgary.
The PCG was able
to deliver 103 consular services during 1.5 days of the consular outreach on
21-22 September.
The Philippine
Overseas Labor Office (POLO)-Vancouver also joined the consular outreach and
delivered their own services to the Filipinos in High Level.
Prior to the
consular outreach, Consul General Patron arrived in High Level on 19 September
to visit the Filipino workers in various establishments to check their labor
conditions. Among those he visited were Tim Hortons, Canadian
Tires, Kentucky Fried Chicken, A&W, Best Western Hotel, TGP
Supermarket, and Tolko Industries Ltd.
Consul General
Patron also met with Mayor Crystal
MacAteer on 20 September to thank her for ensuring the Filipinos’ safety during
the wildfires and the mandatory evacuation in May. The Mayor described the
Filipinos as “excellent people” who were welcome addition to the town of High
Level.
In the evening
of 20 September, Consul General Patron conducted a Community Forum for the
Filipino residents of High Level where he explained the consular services as well as
the cultural and economic programs of the PCG.
On 22
September, he also met the other Filipino community members during a Mass at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church
and the 5th anniversary celebration of the Jesus Is Lord Church.