The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

UNION OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES OF THE PHILIPPINES CONDUCTS MISSION ON AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

PR MTD 130 2022 ULAP

6 November 2022, SEOUL – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul welcomed a delegation of Governors and officers from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) headed by Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua of Quirino Province for a Study and Benchmarking Mission on Agriculture and Food Security in the Republic of Korea from 19 to 23 October 2022. Governor Cua also serves as the National President of ULAP. Joining him in the mission is Governor Jose Enrique Miraflores of Aklan, Governor Erico Aristotle Aumentado of Bohol, Governor Rogelio Neil Roque of Bukidnon, Governor Edwin Jubahib of Davao Del Norte, Governor Rodolfo Albano III of Isabela, Governor Presbitero Velasco Jr. of Marinduque, Governor Damian Mercado of Southern Leyte and Governor Susan Yap of Tarlac.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through the Philippine Agricultural Office, organized meetings and familiarization visits for the delegation with various agriculture agencies and organizations in the Republic of Korea such as the Smart Farm Innovation Valley in Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do, the Korea Agriculture Technology Promotion Agency (KOAT), Korea Agrimachinery Industry Cooperative (KAMICO), and Nonghyup Hanaro Mart and Farmers Cooperative. The study mission provided opportunities for further bilateral cooperation, as agriculture and food security is one of the main priorities of the Philippine government.

The delegation also attended the 2022 International Fermented Food Exhibition (IFFE) where fresh and fermented food products from various Philippine provinces like Tarlac and Quirino were displayed at the Philippine booth. Visitors likewise showed great interest in coffee from Bukidnon, okra from Tarlac, and bananas from Davao.

Prior to the agricultural study mission, Governor Cua attended the UCLG World Summit of Local and Regional Leaders and World Congress on “Local and Regional Governments Breaking Through as One” in Daejeon, Republic of Korea. He participated in the UCLG Executive Bureau meeting on 10 October 2022, that discussed the membership application of ULAP in the prestigious United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) organization.

During the mission, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized the importance of linking local governments to their counterparts abroad. She likewise expressed the Philippine Embassy in Korea’s commitment to supporting Philippine efforts to tackle food security in the country through smart farming techniques and agricultural mechanization in strengthening PH-ROK agricultural cooperation. END

PR MTD 130 2022 ULAP2

PH EMBASSY CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH IN JEJU CITY

PR MTD 128 2022 Jeju Outreach

29 October 2022, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy conducted its fourth consular outreach mission for the year from 28 to 29 October 2022, in Jeju City, led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega. The Embassy rendered 124 units of consular and Assistance to Nationals services to members of the Filipino community, including e-passport applications, notarials, marriage solemnization, civil registration, oath-taking of dual citizenship applicants, assistance-to-nationals and other services. Representatives from PAG-IBIG, POLO and OWWA, also joined the outreach and rendered a combined 221 services, including renewal of OWWA membership and OEC processing, contract verification, and inquiries on opening of PAG-IBIG regular and MP2 accounts, among others.

The Embassy Team likewise conducted a Services Information Session attended by officers of the Nagkakaisang Pilipino sa Jeju (NaPIL) and other volunteers on matters regarding visa applications, consular services, and other government services and requests for assistance. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, Consul General Romulo Israel, Vice Consul Jilliane De Dumo-Cornista, and Labor Attaché Maria Celeste Valderrama conducted the session.

An awarding ceremony for the volunteers from NaPIL was also held to conclude the outreach mission. The Philippine Embassy is now in the process of drawing up its schedule for the 2023 Consular Outreach Calendar. END

Philippines Creative Content for the World Showcased at 27th Busan International Film Festival

PR MTD 126 2022

18 October 2022, Seoul and Busan, Korea – The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) slogan – “Philippine films for the world” was at the center of the Philippine participation at the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), one of the most prestigious in the world during its 27^th edition held from 5 to 14 October 2022.

The Philippine Delegation was headed by FDCP Chair Tirso S Cruz III and the FDCP team including Technical Consultant and renowned film and television Director Jose Javier Reyes and Executive Director David D. Fabros. A number of active Filipino producers and other creatives likewise took part in the nearly two-week festival which resumed full in person activities this year.

The Philippines also took part in the Asia Contents and Film Market (ACFM) and other collaborative events during the festival. Chairman Cruz met with ACFM Head Mr. Oh Seok Geun who previously served as the President of the Korean Film Council.

Two new works by acclaimed Filipino auteurs Lav Diaz (When the Waves are Gone) and Brillante Mendoza (Feast) were screened to full audiences at BIFF’s ‘Icon” program while three other Philippine co-productions “Autobiography”, “Arnold is a Model Student”, and “Plan 75” were also showcased in the “window on Asian Cinema” segment.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega was on hand to welcome the Philippine Delegation and supported the country’s participation in the festival and the ACFM. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega noted that “This is a new age for Asian Cinema and the Philippines, through the FDCP and our vibrant creative community, is an engaged and active player through increased collaboration and exchanges.”

Another notable achievement at the BIFF was the award given to GMA 7 news and public affairs program “Atom Araullo Stories” which won Best Documentary for its episode “Young Arms” at the 4^th Asia Contents Awards held at the BIFF.

The Philippine participation at the 27^th BIFF was capped by the holding of the “Philippine Cinema Night” a traditional activity hosted by the Philippines at major film festivals to thank the festival organizers and to build more networks for the promotion of the Philippine creative industry. Representatives from the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) were on hand to lend support to the event. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY PARTICIPATES IN THE 1ST ASEAN-ROK HEALTHCARE COOPERATION CONFERENCE

PR MTD 123 2022

SEOUL, 13 October 2022 — the Philippines participated in the 1^st ASEAN-ROK Conference on Healthcare Cooperation held on 7 October 2022 at the Westin Josun Hotel in Seoul.

The Philippines commended the active and concerted efforts made by ASEAN and ROK to strengthen health system resilience and enhance health security through the ASEAN Plus Three Health Sector platform, the coordinated regional response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well the commitment to accelerating the progress toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in ASEAN Member States.

The Philippines likewise highlighted its work on capacity-building projects with ROK to respond to emerging infectious diseases, including utilizing digital technology for diagnostic means, a responsive e-government cloud system for collecting and utilizing health data through the ASEAN-ROK HIRA project, and professional support for the establishment and utilization of information systems between ASEAN and ROK through the ASEAN Adaptive Financial Risk Management System

The said Conference was attended by Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) Executive Director Kim Young-ok, Ministry of Health and Welfare (MoHW) Director Yoon Chan-sik. The Philippine Embassy was represented by Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. END