GOVPH

[Korea Times Op-Ed] Philippines and Korea at 75: A past remembered, a future forged by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega

As we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea, the Philippine Embassy in Korea is pleased to share the Op-Ed Philippine Ambassador to Korea H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega penned for The Korea Times, which looks back on the long-standing and enduring Philippines - Republic of Korea relations and looks forward to our bright and promising future as strategic partners.

The Ambassador writes, “As our nascent bilateral relations arose from a spirit of kinship and sacrifice during the Korean War, so too are our future relations buoyed by the strength of our dynamic people-to-people ties.” 

PHILIPPINES HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL CITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AT WeGO KICK-OFF EVENT

27 February 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega participated in the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) Secretariat’s 2024 Activities Kick-off Event under the theme “Smart Life in a Smart City” held on 20 February 2024 at the Seoul Global Center. The event presented WeGO’s new key agendas, programs, and events for implementation in the smart city area throughout 2024.

Around 200 WeGO members, partners, and stakeholders from 31 countries, including 17 ambassadors, 14 corporate members and partners, and 17 institutions, participated in the event.

In her remarks, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega lauded WeGO for promoting a spirit of sharing and exchanging best practices and forging partnerships among cities around the world. The Ambassador also recognized WeGO’s important work in helping cities leverage their innovation potential through learning and partnership missions in Korea. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise underscored the importance of these transformative benchmarking experiences as cities and provinces in the Philippines lead the way in building sustainable and innovative ecosystems for future-oriented communities.

She congratulated WeGO Secretary General Jung Sook Park for the organization’s accomplishments in the previous years. An official delegation from the 22^nd Quezon City Council headed by Vice Mayor Gian Carlo Sotto also attended the event. Quezon City is a WeGo Partner city in the Philippines.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul continues to work with WeGo for dynamic exchanges that help local governments in the Philippines learn good governance and sustainable practices. WeGO’s current efforts in developing the Smart City Index provides an overall view of the state of smart city initiatives, its championing of government and private sector partnerships, the Smart City Champions program, and the Seoul Smart City Prize, all contribute to this effort. END

PHL EMBASSY ROLLS OUT FIRST REINTEGRATION SEMINAR FOR FILIPINOS IN SOUTH KOREA FOR 2024

19 February 2024, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul together with the team of Promoting Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness to Overseas Filipinos in Korea (or PEAK-Pinoy) held its first reintegration preparedness seminar for the year entitled “Usapang PangKinabukasan feat: Pag-IBIG Fund and OFBank” on 29 January 2024 via online.

The seminar discussed financial literacy topics that are essential to reintegration preparedness as well as promotion of welfare of overseas Filipinos in South Korea.

In her opening message, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega cited the importance of PEAK Pinoy as a vehicle for economic empowerment of Filipinos in South Korea. “During the Philippines’ recent participation in the Global Forum on Migration and Development or GFMD in Geneva, we highlighted the recurring message that migrants are important drivers of innovation, growth, and dynamism in both receiving and origin countries, and that governments have important role to play by arming them with timely and relevant information through the various stages of migration” the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador also expressed appreciation for the enduring partnership with Filipino community organizations, namely Pinoy Investors in Korea (PINK) and the Kapit Bisig Organization of Daegu (KBO) which has enabled the Embassy to reach out and expand its advocacy on reintegration preparedness among many more kababayans in South Korea.

During the seminar, Pag-Ibig Member Services Officer James Lumantas discussed the home savings, loan and MP2 program of Pag-Ibig Fund, while Overseas Remittance Officer Leover A. Loyola introduced the Overseas Filipino Bank programs and its digital banking services for Filipinos who are living and working overseas. Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce D. Cornista presented the ways to prevent and deal with the financial scams which are equally important dimensions to financial literacy and security of overseas Filipinos. Welfare Officer Cornelia DG Chanco urged the participants to be active OWWA members and avail of its various programs for OFWs and their families. Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama and Commercial Counselor Jose Maria Dinsay co-moderated the seminar.

PEAK-Pinoy is the Embassy’s flagship project in support of the Philippine National Reintegration Program, which is jointly implemented by the PTIC, Migrant Workers Office (MWO) – OWWA, Philippine Agriculture Office (PAO), Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT), and Pag-IBIG Fund.

This PEAK Pinoy seminar is the 15^th activity held since the project was launched in March 2021. Overseas Filipinos in South Korea are invited to join the next PEAK Pinoy webinar scheduled in May 2024. -END-