Premier Christy Clark was joined by Jose Ampeso, Consul General of the Philippines, and by the Vancouver Filipino community at the Pista ng Bayan celebration in honour of Philippine Independence Day, marking the nation's independence from Spanish rule.

"I was proud to be the first B.C. Premier to officially visit the Philippines. It is a beautiful country with wonderful and welcoming people," said Premier Clark. "We are so lucky to have so many Filipinos who make B.C. their home, and our communities are richer and more dynamic because of their contributions. I'm proud to recognize and celebrate the 114th anniversary of Philippine Independence Day."

Premier Clark recently returned from a Jobs and Trade Mission that included a visit to the Philippines, where she signed a Joint Communiqué on labour mobility, and highlighted the tremendous opportunities and economic partnerships available in British Columbia, such as the new, made-in-B.C. clean-energy facility to be built in the city of Mactan in Cebu Province.

While in the Philippines, Premier Clark attended a Jobs Fair to help connect B.C. employers with recruitment agencies and educational institutions to help fill skilled-worker vacancies in the province. She also met with Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Albert Del Rosario, to promote British Columbia's labour market and emphasize strong cultural ties with the Philippines.

"Our first priority is always to find employment for British Columbians, but with so many jobs to fill in the next decade, we know that new immigrants will be key to maintaining the growth of our economy, and we know the Filipino community in B.C. is a critical element of that growth" said Premier Clark.