Labor and Employment Secretary Silvestre Bello III said yesterday that he is now looking at the possibility of withdrawing Philippine labor attachés in Canada over the trash issue between the two countries.
“If our relationship with Canada won’t improve, I might decide to recall our labor attaché, those heading our POLO office in Vancouver and Toronto,” Bello said. “Pero pinag-aaralan pa nating mabuti kung kailangang i-recall ang labor attaché sa Canada,” he added.
The Department of Foreign Affairs has recalled the country’s ambassador and consuls to Canada, setting a stage for a diminished diplomatic presence that will reportedly be maintained until its garbage is shipped out of the country.
Bello said trash issue is more than just about garbage.
“May koneksiyon ‘yan sa karangalan natin bilang isang bansa. Kung bakit itong Canada, basura lang eh, bakit ‘di na lang bawiin? Kasi unang-una, mali ang pagkadala ng basura nila dito sa ating bansa. Hindi naman tayo basurahan. Hindi naman tama ‘yan,” he said.
“Ewan ko kung anong nangyari kung bakit pinayagan ng dating administrasyon kung sino mang administrasyon ‘yon,” Bello added.
Bello said overseas Filipino workers going to Canada or are already in Canada will not be affected by the issue. (Erma Edera)
