British Columbia's premier has erased any doubt on the role of Mabuhay House Society in the proposed Filipino cultural center project in the province.

David Eby spoke at the recent Filipino festival in Burnaby over the weekend.

There, he acknowledged Mabuhay House Society's help in shaping the online survey for Filipinos. He also made it clear that Mabuhay House will remain BC's partner in a dream that he said is long overdue.

"We're going to keep working with Mabuhay House to make sure that your voice is heard," said Eby. "We want this to be the best Filipino cultural center in the whole country."

He also addressed the division within the community and said the way to move forward is to be united.

"There are lots of people who want to sow division in the community on this," Eby said. "I don’t understand why that’s the case because the only way we can build this is [with] the whole Filipino community together."

Eby's clarification came after Filipino-Canadian lawmaker Mable Elmore said there was no designated lead group yet for the project.

Fil-Canadians dismayed over dev't in PH cultural center project

The tourism ministry previously affirmed Elmore's announcement but made an about-face before Eby visited the Filipino festival.

In a letter to Mabuhay House, tourism minister Lana Popham said they are working with the group.

Eby's decision to uphold Mabuhay House's role in the undertaking was met with cheers at the festival.

"I can say that hard work pays off," said Mabuhay House chairperson Sammie Jo Rumbaua, "leading with integrity, honesty, and transparency. We cannot do this alone. It takes a whole community."

Other signatories to a statement of unity urged more Filipino groups in BC to throw their support behind Mabuhay House.

Elmore, however, declined to comment on Eby's announcement.

Filipino B.C., the group conducting a separate campaign for a Filipino community center, said it respects Eby's decision.

But it added that this will not stop it from continuing its advocacy.

"That's a decision they can make," said Filipino BC director Armor Corrales. "But our advocacy will go on."

Liberal Member of Parliament Parm Bains reiterated the federal government's promise to support the project.

But he said the specific funding will only come once a solid plan is in place.

"We just need to find out how much, what it is, what the final cultural center will look like because we still need a location," he said. "But we'll work closely with the Mabuhay House Society and towards getting it done."

Philippine Consul General Arlene Magno said that with the government's backing for the project, it is time for Filipino groups in BC to unite behind a common goal.

"This is not something that just one group of people will be able to do," she said. "We need the help of all Filipinos here in British Columbia."