GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL PARTICIPATES IN THE 18-DAY CAMPAIGN TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

12 December 2021, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul participated in the observance of the 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women (VAW) from 25 November to 12 December 2021. 

Throughout the 18-day campaign, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul raised awareness on the importance of a whole-of-society approach in ensuring safe spaces for everyone. As duty-bearers of the Philippine government serving in the Republic of Korea, Embassy Personnel were reminded of their responsibility in upholding a VAW-free community and in taking part in protecting spaces from gender based-sexual harassment.

On 25 November 2021, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul was pleased to participate in the Orange Your Icon Advocacy by illuminating the Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower) orange.  The Philippine Embassy Officials and Staff in Seoul declared its strong support to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (VAW) through the "Orange Your Icon" Campaign of the N Seoul Tower.  The lighting of the tower was held with a goal to increase awareness to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls around the world, calling for global action to increase awareness, promote advocacy and create opportunities for discussion on challenges and solutions. As this year’s theme is “Orange the World: End Violence Against Women Now!”, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul initiated the turning of the Korean icon orange to remind the community that violence against women continues to be an obstacle to achieving equality, development, peace, as well as the fulfillment of women and girls’ human rights.

Philippine Embassy Officials and Staff also wore orange to further support and compliment the activity.  The N Tower Lighting was shared with all relevant government organizations and diplomatic missions in Korea.

As a culminating activity of the campaign, Embassy personnel also attended a Safe Spaces Act seminar conducted by Mr. Kim Harold Peji of the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) on 9 December 2021. Mr. Peji, a Supervising GAD Specialist of the PCW and the speaker for the event, was instrumental in aligning Post’s GAD activities to fit this year’s theme, with the forum focusing on avoiding harassment in shared public spaces online and in various social media.

The forum was organized in keeping with the provisions of the Safe Spaces Act which states that "Employers or other persons of authority, influence or moral ascendancy in a workplace shall have the duty to prevent, deter, or punish the performance of acts of gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace by providing measures to prevent gender-based sexual harassment in the workplace, such as the conduct of anti-sexual harassment seminars."

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by its Gender and Development Secretariat, will continue to pursue a VAW-free community where respect thrives, and where we can ensure and secure safe spaces for all. END

UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR THE ENTRY TO THE PHILIPPINES OF OVERSEAS TRAVELERS

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul informs the public that pursuant to IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease) Resolution No. 152 s. 2021 dated 03 December 2021, the following testing and quarantine protocols shall be implemented.

Except for countries/jurisdictions/territories designated as “Red,” testing and quarantine protocols for all inbound passengers in all ports of entry shall comply with the testing and quarantine protocols for “Yellow” list countries/territories/jurisdictions, as contained in IATF Resolution 149-A, s.2021 dated 18 November 2021.

Click UPDATED PROTOCOLS FOR THE ENTRY TO THE PHILIPPINES OF OVERSEAS TRAVELERS to read full advisory.

Philippines is featured country during the Segye ASEAN Forum 2021

09 December 2021, Seoul - The Philippines was the featured country during the Segye ASEAN Forum 2021 held last December 9, 2021, at the Dragon Hotel in Seoul, Korea.  Hosted by Segye Ilbo, one of the major media groups in Korea, the event this year focused on the economic cooperation in the manufacturing sector between Korea and the Philippines through the PH-KR FTA which is expected to be effective by the first half of 2022.

High-level Philippine and Korean Officials participated in the event. These included DTI Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, Philippine Ambassador Maria Theresa De Vega, Korea Trade Minister Yeo Han Koo, Members of the National Assembly of Korea, and DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo. 

Ambassador De Vega in her welcome remarks emphasized the timeliness of the forum especially with the recent conclusion of the FTA negotiations between the Philippines and Korea, “These are exciting times for deepened partnership between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea. Both countries are in the process of bouncing back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent conclusion of negotiations for the Philippine-Korea FTA last October 26, 2021, opens numerous opportunities for Korean companies to do business in the Philippines, especially in the manufacturing sector.”

Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, in his message, also emphasized the breadth and depth of relations between both countries and expressed optimism for a stronger partnership. The Trade Secretary further expressed, “We are optimistic that the FTA will stimulate trade and will provide avenues for Korean companies and industries to diversify and expand their economic interests in the Philippines.”

For his part, ROK Trade Minister Yeo underscored the importance to Korea of ASEAN as an economic bloc and said, “Our cooperation has been elevated to even greater heights since President Moon Jae-in declared the New Southern Policy”.  

As the keynote speaker, Undersecretary Rodolfo discussed the different investment opportunities in the Philippines and mentioned how current Korean companies in the Philippines are taking advantage of the attractive business environment in the country. He also mentioned how Korean companies can benefit from the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises or CREATE Law, which has been in effect since April 11 this year.

On the conclusion of the Philippines-Korea FTA negotiations, DTI Undersecretary Rodolfo said, “This is an opportunity for Korean companies to dominate the Philippine Electric Vehicle market, and once we reach a substantial level of Economies of Scale, Korean companies can put up production and assembly facilities—particularly the more mature vehicle models in the Philippines.”

Philippine Economic Zone Authority Department Manager Emmanuel Cortero also presented the benefits and services offered by PEZA to foreign companies investing in their numerous locations while Mr. Sherwin Nones, Head of Strategy of IMI represented the Philippine private sector and discussed areas for possible collaboration between IMI and Korean companies.

The Forum was organized through the efforts of Segye Media and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul. The hybrid event was also live-streamed via Youtube. END.

Top: Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega delivering the welcome remarks to the 2021 Segye ASEAN Forum. Philippine Trade Minister Ramon Lopez and Undersecretary of Trade and Industry Ceferino Rodolfo joined the forum virtually. ROK Trade Minister Yeo Han Koo is seen seated on stage. (Photo: PTIC_ROK)