GOVPH

PHILIPPINES EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF SEAFARER TRAINING AND SHIPBUILDING INVESTMENTS FOR GREEN MARITIME SECTOR AT THE 2023 KOREA MARITIME WEEK

15 June 2023, Seoul - The Philippines participated in the Korea Maritime Week and Ministerial Conference, an annual international event that brings together major stakeholders of the international maritime sector to discuss major current issues and future response strategies.

DoTR Undersecretary Elmer Sarmiento, as head of the Philippine Delegation, participated in the Korea Maritime Week Ministerial Conference where he emphasized the importance of human resource capacity building to address the decarbonization challenges of the international maritime sector.

Highlighting that the Philippines is a major player in the maritime shipping market as one of the world’s biggest crew providers, Undersecretary Sarmiento underscored that human resources should be included in the maritime sector’s decarbonization plans through the upskilling and capacity building of seafarers in operating new technology and green ships. He likewise informed the meeting that the Philippines will need the assistance of the international community in helping the Philippines expand its green fleet and contribute to the overall decarbonization goals of the international shipping sector.

At the PH-ROK bilateral meeting with ROK Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Vice Minister Song Sang Keun, the Philippines reiterated the importance of a whole-of-community approach in helping developing countries transition to green shipping through various means including government subsidies and green financing for eco-friendly vessels, as well as training for workers in the maritime sector. The Philippines also expressed hope that more shipbuilding companies will bring their business to the Philippines, as the country remains an investment-friendly destination with highly-skilled workers.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega likewise expressed her appreciation for the continued support of the ROK Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in the Post’s flagship programs, including the annual PH-ROK Maritime Cooperation Dialogue. “Maritime cooperation is now one of the most active areas of engagement between countries, and this was most recently manifested in the swift assistance and donation of the ROK Government of the oil spill cleaning technology to help address the March 2023 Mindoro oil spill,” the Ambassador said.

An international maritime sector expert, MOF Vice Minister Song lauded the active and very substantive participation of the Philippines in the IMO. The delegation also had a productive exchange with IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim at the sidelines of the conference.

MARINA Deputy Administrator Sonia Malaluan, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario were likewise part of the Philippine delegation to the conference. END

PHILIPPINES CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN MULTILATERAL COOPERATION WITH ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)

Incheon, ROK. The Philippines took part in the 56^th Asian Development Bank Board of Governors Meeting held in Incheon, Korea from 2 to 5 May 2023. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe M. Medalla, as the Alternate Governor for the Philippines to the ADB, headed the Philippine delegation. DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman DOF Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven, and other officials from BSP, DOF, and DBM likewise formed part of the Philippine delegation.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega assisted the Philippine delegation in various sessions and side meetings, including a delegation meeting with ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa.

The Philippines is a special partner of the ADB, as it continues to host the ADB headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Philippines and has a broad range of cooperation engagements and projects with the international financial and development institution. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY WITH REP. MARISSA “DEL MAR” MAGSINO HOLDS TOWN HALL AND DIALOGUES ON OVERSEAS FILIPINO CONCERNS

11-12 June 2023, Seoul. From June 11 to 12, 2023, the Philippine Embassy with OFW Party-list Representative Hon. Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino held a town hall meeting with the Filipino Community and dialogues with various Korean government offices on Overseas Filipino concerns.

Members of the Filipino community in South Korea attended a Town Hall on OFW concerns with Rep. Magsino on June 11 at the Hyehwadong Catholic Center Conference Room. In her opening remarks, Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the ongoing efforts of the Embassy with the DMW through the MWO in Seoul in assisting the Philippines legislature in responding to the concerns of the overseas Filipino Community. For her part, Rep. Magsino committed to do a follow-through on her office’s ongoing initiatives, including dialogues with PhilHealth on OFW contributions, increased access to SSS services, addressing financial scams, and the seasonal workers program, among others.

On June 12, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, Rep. Magsino and Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama met with Rep. Cho Jung Hun of the Korean National Assembly regarding the possible deployment of foreign household workers in South Korea. Rep. Magsino emphasized the need for equal treatment and observance of labor standards and international commitments that will safeguard the welfare and interests of foreign workers in ROK.

On the same day, Rep. Magsino together with Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., and Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista visited the Seoul Foreign Residents’ Center to conduct benchmarking studies on welfare and legal assistance services available to foreign residents in Korea. The Center reported receiving requests for assistance from Overseas Filipinos mostly on labor-related issues, such as transferring employers and claiming benefits. Concluding the series of meetings was Rep. Magsino’s visit to the MWO (formerly POLO) and OWWA facilities, where supplementary discussions on OFW concerns were held. END