FYi, for those first timers to get approval. I applied one tourist visa and 3 work permits, all approved (did it all by myself, no consultant or agency).
Once you received a formal letter stating that they need your physical passport as final stage of approval, it means you passed (otherwise, what are they gonna do with your original passport?) and can go to canada as soon as you get the passport back. You will send it NOT TO IRCC in Edmonton, but in your local Canada embassy. You can send it via mail or you can go to embassy by yourself (depends on country). I think Philippines has different instruction. I processed my work visa in Israel (as a tourist there), that’s why I was the one who went to Canada embassy as soon as I received the letter. And did it within 10 minutes of waiting only. Voila, I got the sticker inside my passport! And that day, I booked a flight to Canada for the next day.