Mabuhay House Society Concerned About Transit Cuts’ Effects on Filipino Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 25, 2024
Vancouver, BC — Following a recent transit report to the Mayor’s office regarding looming transit cuts, Mabuhay House Society strongly encourages all levels of government to secure a new, sustainable funding model for this essential public service in the region.
The report, which details the far-reaching consequences of funding cuts, emphasizes that hundreds of thousands of people would lose access to reliable transportation.
One of the most affected groups would undoubtedly be the Filipino community. According to the 2021 Census, 10% of new immigrants come from the Philippines. New immigrants, as well as health-care workers, seniors and youth often rely solely on public transportation to travel to school, home and their place of work.
“Providing a reliable transit system across Metro Vancouver is essential for mobilizing people, families, and businesses in our community,” says Mabuhay House Society Board Chair, Sammie Jo Rumbaua.
“As our organization works towards building the provincial Filipino Cultural Centre in B.C., access to transit is a critical factor in deciding where the facility will be located. These projected transit reductions will significantly impact the Filipino community, which relies heavily on this essential service. Therefore, we urge our government leaders to support and find new, sustainable funding sources to maintain and improve our transit system.”
Accessible public transportation is essential to keeping communities safe. Mabuhay House Society affirms growing calls on the government to increase support for public transportation and ensure the mobility of all our communities.
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About Mabuhay House Society
Established in 2021, Mabuhay House Society is a registered non-profit society working closely with the provincial government to develop a provincial Filipino Community Cultural Centre that will be an inclusive, intercultural, and intergenerational space that Filipino Canadians can call home, where everyone is welcome. Mabuhay House Society is paving the way for the Filipino connection and community to thrive in BC. Visit our website at mabuhayhouse.ca.
For more info:
Lester de Guzman
Board Member, Mabuhay House Society
lester.deguzman@mabuhayhouse.ca
778-960-5988
Sammie Jo Rumbaua
Board Chair, Mabuhay House Society
chair@mabuhayhouse.ca
604-334-1800
