Jason Pinsoy is a fireman in Panglao, a municipality in the province of Bohol in the Philippines. He can't stop thanking Canadians for the 2015 donation of two firetrucks from Rotarians of Langley, B.C.
“We are so grateful to you Canadians, especially the Langley Rotarians. Thank you for noticing and picking the Philippines out of all the other countries to donate the firetrucks,” Pinsoy said.
The municipality of 25,000 people has a vital tourism industry built around its beautiful beaches and waters excellent for diving and snorkeling.
Resorts have increased, as well as the local and foreign population. The one firetruck the municipality owned before 2015 was not adequate to protect the community.
With a new international airport expected in Panglao, there will be more tourism, development, and growth in the town.
The additional firetrucks will be extremely valuable as the town grows. "We can respond to fires faster. Fire operation can be more effective, with more water from more firetrucks,"Pinsoy said.
Also, when the firetrucks were donated, the Philippine government allocated more firemen positions to Panglao, to a total of 18 firemen.
When asked how Canadians knew Panglao needed firetrucks, Pinsoy said that the mayor of Panglao - Nila Montero - is a Rotarian herself, and she brought up the need for more firetrucks at an international conference of Rotarians.
The Langley B.C. Rotarians donated a couple of firetrucks - a model 1981 International, and a 1987 Ford - which were in good condition. The firetrucks were shipped via Cebu in the Visayas region of the Philippines and arrived in Panglao in June 2015.
President/CEO and Director, MBNS
Eleanor Guerrero-Campbell is a city planner, community champion, and writer. She came to Canada in 1977 with a degree in English and Comparative Literature, and a Masters Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, both from the University of the Philippines. She went on to work as a planner manager in Edmonton in Alberta, and Surrey, Richmond and Vancouver in British Columbia. Guerrero-Campbell co-founded the Multicultural Helping House Society, where, as executive director, she established programs to assist newcomers in Canada. As chief executive of the Minerva Foundation for B.C. Women, she managed leadership programs for women in various stages of their careers. She currently co-convenes the City of Vancouver's Immigrant Partnership Program Committee on Access to Services. Her first novel Stumbling Through Paradise: A Feast of Mercy for Manuel del Mundo depicts the struggles of a Filipino family's immigrant journey in Canada through three generations. Eleanor is a recipient of many awards including the Vancouver Civic Merit Award (the only Canadian Filipino to receive this award thus far) and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal for community service.
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