DEPARTMENT of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo said Wednesday that the inclusion of the Philippines in Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program marks an “important milestone” between the two countries’ relations, which came after the recent visit of Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly to Manila.
Manalo lauded the development, saying the Philippine inclusion in the ETA was “a striking indication of Canada’s growing friendship and trust in the Philippines as well as the great value it attributes to the Filipino community that has contributed to its diversity and dynamism.”
“The new policy is expected to spur travel, stimulate more business opportunities, and foster greater interest for family reunification efforts,” Manalo added.
The Canadian government announced on Wednesday the inclusion of 13 countries, including the Philippines, in its ETA program.
The program allows holders of those countries to enter Canada for up to six months for either business or leisure, considering that they have been issued a Canadian visitor visa in the past ten years or have a valid non-immigrant US visa.
“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,” Manalo stressed.