By Jake Howarth | Yukon News | September 2, 2026 4:30pm

Consul General Gina Jamoralin meets Yukon Premier Currie Dixon during her first official visit to the territory. (Yukon government)

Philippine Consul General Gina Jamoralin told the News her first visit to the Yukon showed how the territory is emerging as a key link with the Philippines, with a new Filipino council, high‑level meetings and a consular mission on the way.

Jamoralin said her three‑day visit toward the end of August included meetings with Premier Currie Dixon, Commissioner Adeline Webber, Whitehorse Mayor Kirk Cameron, and Legislative Assembly speaker Yvonne Clarke.

The consul general said she travelled north from Vancouver at the invitation of the newly formed Yukon Filipino Canadian Council, administering its oath of office during the trip. She described the group as a “new organization,” alongside an older Filipino association in the Yukon.

Jamoralin said her diplomatic meetings focused on strengthening ties after Philippines–Canada relations were elevated to a strategic partnership. She briefed Yukon figures on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s July visit to Vancouver and discussed possible sister‑province and sister‑city arrangements, alongside opportunities in agriculture, mining and education.

She pointed to Bukidnon province as one possible match for the Yukon, citing its exports and describing it as “very beautiful,” but said the choice of partner would ultimately be up to the premier.

“The provinces should be complementary,” Jamoralin said.

The consul general also highlighted university‑level collaboration as an area of interest. She said Whitehorse’s mayor was keen to invite academics from Philippine universities, and separately floated mining‑related education exchanges, noting the Yukon’s resource sector and the Philippines’ own mineral production.

“We are also interested in technologies that maybe Yukon can share in the area of energy or minerals, and also maybe we can send our students to study in the Yukon. Mining, engineers and other technologies that would also be useful for the Philippines,” Jamoralin said.

Support for the Filipino diaspora also featured in the talks. Jamoralin said credential recognition can be a challenge for internationally educated nurses and other professionals, and that Yukon officials had informed her they are looking at ways to simplify those requirements as the territory seeks more healthcare workers.

The consulate will return to Whitehorse on Oct. 2-3 for a consular outreach mission offering passport, civil registry, and other services. Jamoralin said she will remain in Vancouver but expects her team to handle the weekend clinic. She added the consulate conducts outreach annually and she hopes to visit the Yukon again next year.

Jamoralin said her first impressions of the territory were shaped by conversations with Filipino residents who described the Yukon as a family‑friendly place with strong economic activity.

“Many of them are coming to Yukon because it’s a great place to raise a family,” she said, noting the number of Filipino‑owned businesses she encountered.

She added Yukon’s natural beauty, aurora tourism, and hunting opportunities are increasingly drawing Filipino visitors, including senior officials.

“I know one high-level Filipino official who also visits Yukon regularly,” Jamoralin said.

The consul general encouraged Yukoners to consider joining the Philippines’ annual Winter Escapade tour scheduled for Feb. 7-17, describing it as a guided cultural and tourism program for Canadians and Filipino residents.

Source: Yukon News