Vaughan celebrates 25-year partnership with Baguio City, Philippines
Today, Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca and Members of Council welcomed a delegation from Baguio City, Philippines, to Vaughan City Hall to mark the 25th anniversary of the twinning agreement between the two cities.
The Philippines delegation arrived on Saturday, Nov. 19 and was led by Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, Councillor Fred Bagbagen and officially accompanied by Orontes Castro, Consul General of the Republic of the Philippines in Toronto. Today's agenda included an economic development technical briefing from City of Vaughan staff and a roundtable discussion.
The delegation will stay in Vaughan until Thursday, Nov. 24. The visit has been organized by the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan (FCAV) through its president, Erlinda Insigne. FCAV has been supporting the needs of Filipino Canadians since 1990 through diverse programming catered to seniors, youth and newcomers. The association played an instrumental role in the City signing the agreement with Baguio City in 1997.
Since 2004, the City has recognized Filipino Day annually in June to celebrate Philippine Independence Day. Throughout the years, the City has marked this occasion with Vaughan's Filipino community by raising the Philippine flag at City Hall to honour the achievements of Filipino Canadians and acknowledge their contributions to Canada's social and economic fabric. Vaughan Council has made many visits to Baguio, including in 2009 for its centennial celebration and the inauguration of the Global Garden, and in 2013, to celebrate the Flower Festival and meet with the Baguio Economic Development Authority.
Baguio is home to a strong group of post-secondary educational institutions. In July 2022, Regional Councillor Gino Rosati led a meeting with staff from Vaughan's Office of Communications and Economic Development, representatives from Niagara University's Vaughan campus, the FCAV and Consul General Orontes Castro to explore further partnership opportunities.
QUOTE
"I am pleased to welcome Baguio City's
Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, Councillor Fred Bagbagen and Consul General Orontes
Castro to Vaughan to celebrate this remarkable milestone between our two cities.
My Council colleagues and I are proud to host our first international
delegation for this Term of Council. Together, we discussed the long and
enduring relationship between Vaughan and the Philippines and expressed our shared
commitment to continue pursuing cultural and economic opportunities that will
benefit the individuals, families and businesses we proudly serve. I want to
thank the Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan and commend its role in
preserving and fostering Philippine heritage in the city of Vaughan. We look
forward to working together to further strengthen the partnership between the
City of Vaughan and Baguio City, Philippines."
- Mayor Steven Del Duca
QUICK FACTS
- Vaughan's international partnership with Baguio City was signed by Mayor Lorna Jackson in 1997. Since then, four official delegations from Baguio have visited Vaughan.
- In 2017, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and Members of Council welcomed an eight-person delegation from Baguio City to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the agreement.
- Baguio City is located 250 kilometres north of Manila in the province of Benguet. It has a population of 366,358.
- Baguio City is known as the "Summer Capital of the Philippines."
- Baguio City is a major educational centre, home to eight universities and colleges.
- The Filipino-Canadian Association of Vaughan was established in 1990. It played an instrumental role in the City of Vaughan signing an agreement with Baguio City in 1997.
LEARN MORE
- City of Vaughan's Economic Development webpage
- Vaughan celebrates 20 years of friendship with Baguio city, Philippines news release
- Quincentennial commemoration of the Philippines and Filipino heritage month in Vaughan Member's Resolution
