Eligible Filipinos...

PAGE 1 diverse landscapes, reunite with family and friends, and immerse themselves in our vibrant culture without the hurdle of visa requirements,” said Fraser.

Apart from the Philippines, other countries included in the program are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.

“This expansion not only enhances convenience for travelers. It will also increase travel, tourism and economic benefits, as well as strengthen global bonds with these 13 countries,” said Fraser.

To apply for an eTA, travelers need a valid passport, a credit card, an email address, as well as access to the internet.

Meanwhile, those who are not eligible for an eTA will still need a visitor visa before traveling to the country.

Canada says it expects 200,000 visitors from these 13 countries in 2024, garnering about $160 million in revenue within a decade.

In a separate statement, Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) welcomed Fraser’s announcement, tagging it as an “important milestone and a striking indication” of the country’s friendship with Canada.

“The Philippines considers Canada as a close partner due to its well-established people-to-people ties and looks forward to charting a new era of engagement under this new policy,” said DFA. n

The study not only focused on medical needs but also highlighted the significance of addressing mental health and social needs within the community.

Rodriguez encouraged members of the Filipino American community to utilize Apicha’s services and actively provide feedback to help expand and improve the services already being offered.

“We are part of your family and we want you to come and use the services and tell us as well what you need so that we can figure out how can we expand the services that we are already providing,” Rodriguez said.

Magpantay and Rodriguez also talked about a surprising aspect identified during the survey - the complexity of dermatological issues within the LGBTQ+ community, particularly concerning gender identity and selfperception.

Dermatology was ranked as a new emerging need in the survey, ranking behind mental health, STD/HIV/AIDS testing, and sexual health. It was identified from a list of services that Apicha does not address in-house but makes referrals for.

Rodriguez stressed the importance of paying attention to these specific issues faced by the community, saying that certain STI-related concerns may be disguised as common ailments like rashes or eczema, but the trust and