The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

Philippines Renews Support for Global Access to Vaccines at IVI State Forum

PHOTOCARD PR MTD 142 2022 2022 IVI State Forum

Philippine Ambassador delivers a country statement at the 2022 IVI State Forum

20 November 2022, Seoul. The Philippines took part in the 2022 International Vaccine Institute (IVI) State Forum held in Seoul in October.

Marking 25 years of existence, member countries, including the Philippines, expressed support for IVI’s efforts in vaccine development and building vaccine self-sufficiency while at the same time working for easier access to vaccines particularly for populations in developing and least developed countries.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega re-affirmed the Philippines’ commitment to and support for IVI noting that IVI’s work across the globe aligns with our actions and contributions, within the broader context of our global fight against the COVID-19 pandemic as well as other diseases and securing more responsive public health systems. END

PHILIPPINES SHARE INITIATIVES TOWARD DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND NARROWING DIGITAL DIVIDE AT THE FIRST ASIA PACIFIC DIGITAL MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE 2022

PhotoCard PR MTD 141 2022 UNESCAP Asia Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference

Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John E. Uy led the Philippine delegation to the First Asia-Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference 2022, where communication ministers and leaders from ESCAP member states discussed digital development and growth in Asia and the Pacific. The Secretary was joined by Philippine Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, DICT Assistant Secretary Philip Varilla, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario.

SEOUL, 14 November 2022 — Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John E. Uy led the Philippine delegation to the First Asia Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference 2022. Co-hosted by the United Nations’ Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT), the Ministerial Conference agreed to strengthen cooperation in promoting connectivity and transformation towards a safe and inclusive digital society in the Asia-Pacific region. Aside from serving as the Philippine head of delegation, Secretary Uy was also nominated as the Vice-Chair of the First Asia Pacific Digital Ministerial Conference.

Emphasizing that no country should be lagging behind digital innovation, Secretary Uy underscored that the Philippine government under the Marcos administration recognizes that for the Philippines to fully and unconditionally benefit from digital transformation, access to its many opportunities and potential should be equally afforded to every Filipino citizen.

To this end, Secretary Uy announced that the Philippines is currently deploying digital connectivity across its various islands guided by the blueprint for the deployment of broadband connectivity across the nation. Aside from digital connectivity, the DICT also informed the body that it is working towards improving efficiency in the delivery of PH public services, focusing on the continuous digitalization and integration of government and business services online pursuant to the Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018. Secretary Uy likewise emphasized that the DICT is exploring ways to integrate and promote the adoption of new technologies, such as big data, Artificial Intelligence or AI, robotics, cloud computing, among others to improve national competitiveness.

ROK Minister Lee Jung-Ho also expressed the willingness of the Republic of Korea to share best policy practices for digital paradigm transformation that will propel the region to economic prosperity. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega was likewise present during the Ministerial meeting.

At the end of the Ministerial Conference, ESCAP member countries agreed to continue to work together harmoniously in achieving UN ESCAP’s goal of delivering quality digital services to the Asia-Pacific region. END

CENTRAL LUZON GROWTH CORRIDOR FOUNDATION INC (CLGCFI) CONDUCTS OUTBOUND INVESTMENT MISSION IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

PR MTD 139 2022 CLGCFI conducts outbound investment mission in ROK

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega (top right) delivering her remarks and DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo (top left) presented on investment opportunities during the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc (CLGCFI) investment seminar held at the auditorium of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Headquarters in Seoul. (Below photo) Ambassador Dizon-De Vega with Tarlac Governor Susan Yap and the CLGCFI delegation.

14 November 2022, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC)-Seoul in partnership with the Central Luzon Growth Corridor Foundation Inc (CLGCFI) led by Tarlac Governor Susan Yap, organized the Central Luzon Investment Seminar last 9 November 2022 at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Auditorium.

Investment opportunities in the Philippines, specifically Central Luzon, were highlighted in the presentations of DTI Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Governor Yap, Bataan Governor Joet Garcia, Aurora Governor Christian Noveras and heads of Investment Promotions Agencies (IPAs) in the region such as BCDA, AFAB and APECO.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea, H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, welcomed the more than 100 participants that joined the event by highlighting the importance of regional linkages between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea and the key features of Central Luzon as a dynamic and investment-ready destination.

The seminar was followed by B2B meetings between the Philippine delegates and Korean companies to discuss projects related to Manufacturing, Renewable Energy, Waste to Energy Systems, Infrastructure and Real Estate Development.

The CLGCFI delegation also conducted benchmarking and investment promotion visits to companies, agencies and factories such as Daechang Motors, Korea Automotive Technology Institute (KATECH), Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Daedong, Posco E&C, and Incheon Free Economic Zone (IFEZ). END

QUEZON CITY MAYOR MA. JOSEFINA BELMONTE LED A LIGA NG MGA BARANGAY DELEGATION ON A BENCHMARKING ON SUSTAINABLE AND ADOPTABLE BEST PRACTICES IN SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Photocard Working Visit of QC Delegation

[Top photo] Ambassador Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega (sixth from left) receives the “Key to the City” from Hon. Ma. Josefina Belmonte, Mayor of Quezon City (fifth from left). [Below left photo] Mayor Belmonte delivering her remarks on behalf of the Quezon City delegation. [Below right photo] Ambassador Dizon-De Vega welcomes the members of the Quezon City delegation to Seoul.

13 November 2022, SEOUL – A delegation led by Quezon City Mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte comprised of Liga Ng Mga Barangay officials and officers of the Quezon City government undertook a Benchmarking mission on sustainable practices in governance in Seoul, Korea from 09-13 November 2022. The delegation was welcomed by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega.

Emphasizing that innovation starts from the smallest units of local government in her address to the delegation, Ambassador Dizon – De Vega underscored the significant role of the local government units as the vanguard for development and innovation. She also assured the delegation of Embassy’s continued support to local governments as they embark on benchmarking activities that will aid in governance and in ensuring efficient delivery of services to the people.

Mayor Belmonte conveyed the Quezon City government’s appreciation to the Embassy and presented the Ambassador with a symbolic “Key to the City”. Mayor Belmonte also expressed appreciation to the Philippine Embassy team for making the benchmarking mission possible, as the Quezon City government is keen on learning Seoul’s best practices on environmental sustainability which may be adopted and applied in Quezon City.

During the mission, the QC delegation had a briefing on best practices with City Net which is the largest association of urban stakeholders committed to sustainable development in the Asia Pacific Region. They also learned about Seoul’s urban development projects especially environmentally-friendly rehabilitation and restoration projects of now famous tourist attractions and recreation spaces. The delegation also engaged in a discussion on various approaches to recycling as well as upcycling at community-based recycling centers in Mapo and Gangnam and the Seoul Upcycling Plaza. The participants will be working on Re-Entry Action Plans (REAP) based on the lessons from the mission. END