July 16, 2025 - The provincial government of Manitoba committed $900,000 in funding to Filipino community groups to establish a new Filipino business, cultural and care sector zone.
The announcement was made by Manitoba minister of labour and immigration Malaya Marcelino on June 21 as the province celebrated Filipino heritage month.
Mabuhay District Inc., the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba and the Philippine Heritage Council of Manitoba are the recipients of said provincial funding. They will receive $100,000 each annually for three years with the goal of collaboratively establishing a business, cultural and care sector zone including a personal care home for seniors and a child care centre. The proposed zone is also expected to improve access to culturally relevant care for seniors and expand childcare services for working families.
Malaya Marcelino
Marcelino, who is Canadian Filipino, acknowledged that “Manitoba is home to a vibrant Filipino community that contributes so much to the success of our province.” She continued, “As we celebrate and honour Filipino Heritage Month this June, our government is proud to partner with local organizations to invest in important projects that will support a thriving Filipino community in our province.”
The projects aim to complement the province’s efforts in workforce development and immigration support, according to Marcelino. “We’re excited to help support the development of a Filipino economic and cultural hub. By working together with community partners, we’re investing in the long-term success of Filipino Manitobans.”
The three recipient organizations expect to begin planning and consultations later this year.
Manitoba is home to over a hundred thousand people of Filipino descent, one of the largest Filipino populations per capita in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, Filipinos comprise over seven percent of Manitoba’s population.
About the Author
Rachel Ramos-Reid started writing for magazines and newspapers when she was still a junior at the University of the Philippines’ Communication degree program majoring in Journalism. She continued to write in a public relations/corporate communications capacity in various private and government offices until moving out of the country in 1997 to work as Programme Officer for the arts and culture branch of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO-SPAFA) in Bangkok, Thailand. At the end of her term, Rachel found herself immigrating to Canada in the year 2000 and again searching for new beginnings.
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