PHILIPPINES PARTNERS WITH SOUTH KOREA FOR PANAY-GUIMARAS-NEGROS ISLAND BRIDGES AND OTHER TRANSFORMATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
Top: DPWH delegation led by Undersecretary Emil Sadain with Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega meet with KEXIM Bank Vice President Hong Soon-young and other EDCF officials. Bottom: DPWH delegation led by Undersecretary Emil Sadain with Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega at the Yooshin Engineering Headquarters during the 1st Technology Transfer for DPWH in South Korea.
26 February 2024, Seoul – The Philippines is strengthening economic cooperation with the Republic of Korea through transformative infrastructure development projects that will massively improve our island nation's physical connectivity.
Senior officials from the DPWH led by Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain were in the Republic of Korea from 26-29 February 2024 for official meetings with Korean financing institution Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM) and Korean construction companies supporting key infrastructure development projects which will turn the infrastructure vision for "Bagong Pilipinas" into reality.
During the meeting with KEXIM senior officials led by Vice-President Hong Soon-young, Undersecretary Sadain underscored the importance of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea working closely together to support infrastructure development, from roads and bridges to flood control structure through the Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM). KEXIM is an official export credit agency in the Republic of Korea that provides financing for several infrastructure flagship projects in the Philippines.
Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, for her part, emphasized how large-scale infrastructure projects supported by the Republic of Korea help transform not just the Philippine economy as a whole, but also the daily lives of the Filipino people who will benefit the most from physical connectivity.
Since the Philippines and the Republic of Korea are celebrating 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2024, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also reaffirmed that both countries are committed to working together to elevate relations and collaborate on economic projects that will inject fresh opportunities for trade and investment, connectivity, and economic growth under the "Build Better More” program of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
KEXIM infrastructure projects in the Philippines include the completed Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project (SPCR) Phase I in Northern Samar; the soon to be completed Panguil Bay Bridge in Northern Mindanao and Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaption Measures (IDRR-CCA) in the low-lying areas of Pampanga in Central Luzon; and the on-going detailed engineering design of Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges in Western Visayas. Aside from capital, KEXIM also provides capacity-building expertise to infrastructure development initiatives in the Philippines.
Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges
The Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island Bridges, a priority project of the Marcos Administration, is supported by the consulting services of specialized construction and engineering company Yooshin, one of the leading engineering firms in the Republic of Korea.
Yooshin Engineering Corporation in Joint Venture (JV) with Kyong-Ho Engineering & Architects Co., Ltd., Dohwa Engineering Co., Ltd., Soosung Engineering Co., Ltd., and Dasan Consultants Co., Ltd. is presently undertaking the engineering services for the 32.47-kilometer PGN Bridges connecting Panay Island, Guimaras Island and Negros Island.
During the meeting with Yooshin Engineering Corporation, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega emphasized that the Panguil Bay Bridge and the Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island Bridges contribute to the Philippines’ Build Better More Project as these are “transformative and legacy infrastructure projects that help address Philippines issues on connectivity.” DPWH Usec. Sadain expressed confidence in the partnership of the Philippines with Yooshin on connecting bridges and flood control projects, noting their long portfolio of special bridges, highways, and major expressways both in the Republic of Korea and overseas.
Yooshin has built its name as a firm specializing in transportation facilities such as roads, bridges, tunnels, railways, and ports, having participated in the construction and design of major Korean bridges, as well as infrastructure development projects of countries overseas.
The project has two (2) components: 13 kilometers Panay-Guimaras or Section A will have a sea-crossing bridge length of 4.97 kilometers; and Guimaras-Negros or Section B with a total length of 19.47 kilometers including a sea-crossing bridge length of 13.11 kilometers. The total cost of the project is PHP 189 billion, and the completion of the detailed engineering design is set by the end of December 2024.
The meetings at KEXIM headquarters and Yooshin Corporation in Seoul were also attended by Undersecretaries Carlos G. Mutuc, Eugenio R. Pipo Jr., Roberto R. Bernardo, Ador G. Canlas, and Eric D. Ayapana; OIC-Undersectary Marichu A. Palafox; Assistant Secretary Joy Manginsay; Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista, Ramon A. Arriola III, and Director Randy R. Del Rosario. H.E. Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario of the Philippine Embassy assisted the delegation. Senior officials and members of the DPWH also visited landmark bridges in the Republic of Korea to observe construction best practices and facilitate technology transfer. END
Top: During the meeting with KEXIM senior officials led by Vice-President Hong Soon-young, Undersecretary Sadain underscored the importance of the Philippines and the Republic working closely together to support infrastructure development, from roads and bridges to flood control structure through the Korea Export-Import Bank (KEXIM). Top right: The Panay-Guimaras-Negros Island bridge is assured of funding under the Philippines’ international development financing mechanisms. Bottom photos: Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivers an intervention (left), the Ambassador, Senior Undersecretary Sadain and KEXIM Vice-President Hong Soon-young discuss PH projects after the meeting (right). 
Top left to right: The DPWH delegation led by Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain with Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega during their meeting at Yooshin Engineering Corporation. Below: The meeting discussed the ways forward of the Panay-Guimaras-Negros (PGN) Island bridges project. Yooshin Engineering, along with a consortium of engineering firms in South Korea, is in charge of the detailed study and design of the PGN island bridges.
PH SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM, YOUTH EXCHANGES, AND START-UP INNOVATION AT ASEAN-KOREA CENTRE 16th ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
Top: The ASEAN-Korea Centre Council Directors with AKC Secretary General Kim Hae-yong (6th from left). Bottom: Philippine Council Director Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivers an intervention during the Council Director’s Meeting.
21 February 2024, Seoul - The Philippines, through its Council Director H.E. Ambassador Maria Theresa Dizon-De Vega, supported ASEAN-Korea Centre projects on Sustainable Tourism, Youth Exchanges, and Start-Up Innovation during the 16th Annual Meeting of the Council on 21 February 2024.
The 16th Annual Meeting of the Council evaluated the ASEAN-Korea Centre’s 2023 accomplishments, discussed strategies for closer cooperation and deeper ASEAN-Korea Centre engagement with ASEAN Member States and the ROK, and approved proposed programs and budgets for FY 2024.
Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega also recognized the AKC’s efforts in translating H.E. Elizabeth Buensuceso’s publication into Korean, showcasing the AKC’s collaboration with the ASEAN community. Highlighting the significance of youth exchanges, academic linkages, and fostering a culture of understanding, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also recognized the importance of the ASEAN-Korea Youth Network Workshop, Survey on Mutual Perceptions of ASEAN and Korean Youths, and the Council of ASEAN Professors in Korea (CAPK).
Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also expressed her gratitude for the AKC’s organization of the Sustainable Tourism Development Forum in Palawan, Philippines in January 2024, which addressed digital marketing, an integral component of the ASEAN-Korea Plan of Action 2021-2025. To foster stronger ties, the Ambassador encouraged AKC to explore collaborations with the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity in the Philippines and create more impactful content for the public by utilizing new social media personalities who embody the spirit of ASEAN-Korea cooperation.
The Philippines looks forward to working with the ASEAN-Korea Centre and support the Centre’s FY 2024 culture and tourism, trade and investment, information and data goals, and stronger monitoring and evaluation of projects. END
[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.”
Ambassador De Vega also highlights PH-ROK's robust engagements in various areas of cooperation as manifestations of our close collaboration and dynamic partnership and attributes our flourishing relations as like-minded partners to our common commitment to democracy, respect for human rights, and a rules-based international order.
The full opinion piece may be read through this link: https://www.koreatimes.
PHILIPPINES HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL CITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES AT WeGO KICK-OFF EVENT
[Above photo] Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivers congratulatory remarks during the WeGO Secretariat 2024 Activities Kick-off Event on 20 February 2024 in Seoul. [Below photo] WeGO members and partners pose for a photo with WeGO Secretary General Jung Sook Park.
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 22nd 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
Embassy News
- Monday, 10 February 2025 ASEAN COMMITTEE IN SEOUL AGREE TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL COOPERATION WITH 1st VICE FOREIGN MINISTER KIM HONG KYUN
- Sunday, 09 February 2025 PHL EMBASSY CONDUCTS FIRST CONSULAR AND INFORMATION OUTREACH IN 2025
- Wednesday, 05 February 2025 PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH CEBU PACIFIC KOREA BRANCH COUNTRY MANAGER
Announcement & News Updates
- Sunday, 09 February 2025 COLD WEATHER AND SNOW ADVISORY
- Thursday, 06 February 2025 Department of Tourism's (DOT) expanded Tourist Assistance Call Center (TACC) now offering Korean-speaking support
- Monday, 27 January 2025 PAUNAWA UKOL SA MGA PROTOKOL SA PAGPASOK SA REPUBLIKA NG KOREA EPEKTIBO SIMULA 01 ENERO 2025
