The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PH UNDERSECRETARY JESUS DOMINGO MEETS WITH ROK DEPUTY MINISTER FOR MULTILATERAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS PARK YONG MIN

Multilateral Affairs experts PH Undersecretary Jesus “Gary” Domingo and ROK Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Park Yongmin met in Seoul to discuss a wide range of topics, including the importance of enhancing multilateral cooperation to address global challenges. PH Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega also joined the meeting.

SEOUL - Philippine Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo and ROK Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs Park Yongmin discussed ways to enhance multilateral cooperation on democracy, open government partnership, and other areas of mutual interest in a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 14 September 2023.

Undersecretary Domingo was joined by PH Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary Reisha Olavario, and Special Assistant Erika Henri Laudencia during the meeting.

During the meeting, Undersecretary Domingo affirmed the Philippine commitment to and support for multilateral activities defending against authoritarianism, addressing and fighting corruption, and advancing respect for human rights under the Summit for Democracy, as well as global efforts that aim to stop the trafficking of weapons of mass destruction, their delivery systems, and related materials under the Proliferation Security Initiative.

Undersecretary Domingo served as the Philippine head of delegation for both conferences held in Seoul and Jeju Island earlier this year. Undersecretary Domingo also conveyed the Philippine interest and readiness to further its role in these summits and ideas on how to synergize democratic and non-proliferation efforts. Undersecretary Domingo also took the opportunity to brief the Deputy Minister on Philippine initiatives in the recently-held Open Government Partnership regional meeting in Estonia where the Philippines hosted two side events highlighting the nexus between existing technologies and innovative approaches towards fiscal openness, transparency, public participation, and legislative oversight.

Undersecretary Domingo and Deputy Minister Park also had a warm and productive exchange on regional security cooperation, energy, civil defense, social and cultural development, maritime concerns, and people-to-people exchanges including training and development of young diplomats. END

PH AMBASSADOR DISCUSSES WAY FORWARD ON STRENGTHENED PH-ROK ECONOMIC COOPERATION WITH ROK MINISTER OF TRADE AHN DUKGEUN

Left: Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and ROK Minister for Trade Ahn Dukgeun at the Korea Chamber of Commerce in Jongno, Seoul on 22 September 2023. Right: Both sides discussed the way forward to strengthen PH-ROK economic cooperation after the historic signing of the Philippines-ROK – ROK Free Trade Agreement. Amb. De Vega was joined by the Embassy economic team, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, and Commercial Counselor Jose Ma. Dinsay.

22 September 2023, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with ROK Minister for Trade Ahn Dukgeun on 22 September 2023 to discuss strengthened PH-ROK Economic Cooperation and the next steps following the historic signing of the PH-ROK Free Trade Agreement on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit 2023 held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Ambassador De Vega conveyed that the Philippines shares the Republic of Korea’s excitement and sense of accomplishment on the signing of a dynamic and modern free trade agreement, the Philippines’ first bilateral FTA in 17 years. Ambassador De Vega provided updates on the processes currently being undertaken by the Philippine government for the agreement’s eventual entry into force. She thanked Minister Ahn and the ROK government for their help in moving the agreement forward and underscored that its timely signing is proof of strong PH-ROK relations. Ambassador De Vega also noted the importance of working together to engage the public and relevant stakeholders, including industry leaders, in promoting the incentives of the newly signed PH-ROK FTA.

Ambassador De Vega and Minister Ahn both believe in the importance of building the industry ecosystem together and likewise discussed ways the Philippines and ROK can strengthen trade, digital, green, energy, official development assistance, and infrastructure partnerships. Ambassador De Vega also highlighted that the FTA is also a valuable platform to strengthen PH-ROK cooperation in the creative industry aside from traditional areas of cooperation. Both sides also exchanged updates on PH and ROK's planned improvements in people mobility, sustainable transportation, and the digitalization of public records. The PH-ROK FTA signifies our shared commitment to shared values of prosperity and aspirations in advancing digital technology and the green economy.

Ambassador De Vega and Minister Ahn pledged to continue working together on the PH-ROK FTA and other areas of mutual concern to further strengthen the PH-ROK economic partnership. END

At the end of the meeting, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega gave Minister Ahn a basket of Philippine fruits for the upcoming mid-autumn festival (Chuseok) in Korea. For the Philippines, the recently signed PH-ROK FTA opens doors to improved market access for agricultural products, such as bananas, pineapples, and various fruits. Once the FTA takes effect, Filipino agricultural producers can expect increased exports and enhanced competitiveness in South Korea’s market.

PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES IN THE GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE COOPERATION CONFERENCE (GICC) 2023

PHOTOCARD GICC 2023

25 September 2023, Seoul – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led by Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan participated in the Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2023 held from 19 to 20 September 2023 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Secretary Bonoan was joined by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, and Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista and Ramon A. Arriola III during the two-day conference.

Now on its 11^th year, the GICC continuous to serve as an important venue for government agencies, private companies and multilateral development banks to build network and share recent developments in the infrastructure sector. The conference was hosted by MOLIT and organized by the International Contractors Association of Korea (ICAK) and was attended by 60 delegates from 24 countries

Secretary Bonoan delivered his congratulatory remarks at the opening of the GICC 2023 expressing appreciation to the ROK government for extending assistance to the Philippines’ infrastructure projects. The ROK government, through the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund, assisted the Philippines in the completion of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project (SPCR), which was inaugurated on 13 July 2023 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The Philippines continues to work with the Republic of Korea on various infrastructure projects to improve travel time and boost the Philippine economy.

Secretary Bonoan also led the Philippine delegation in a high-level bilateral meeting with Minister Hee-ryong Won of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to discuss upcoming infrastructure projects and other areas for cooperation. They also met with Korean construction companies and leaders of the infrastructure industry on the sidelines of the GICC 2023. END

OFWS IN SOUTH KOREA JOIN OWWA LIVELIHOOD SKILLS TRAININGS AT THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL

PR MTD 128 2023

17 September 2023, Seoul – Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in South Korea participate in the 2^nd season of the 2023 Livelihood Skills Training Program series organized by the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (MWO-OWWA) in Seoul starting in August 2023.

The program aims to inform the OFWs about the livelihood support program and services of OWWA for OFWs, and provide them with the basic investment tips and introductory skills on the various start-up livelihood projects which they can easily undertake to supplement their family incomes or as part of their reintegration plans.

Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega welcomed the enthusiasm of OFWs to spend their weekends attending activities initiated by the Embassy and MWO-OWWA such as the information sessions, labor education, and skills trainings. “We are inspired by the big number of registrants and attendees to these activities designed for our OFWs and other Filipinos living in South Korea, and we are committed to support their development, welfare and reintegration plans through relevant initiatives such as these”, the Ambassador said.

For the 4-Sunday Basic Barista class held from August 27, 2023, over fifty (50) OFW participants learned how to prepare the basic coffee drinks, fruit juices, and cool ades usually served in cafes through lectures and actual workshops conducted by Ms. Margielyn Torres, a Filipino migrant in Korea and experienced barista. On the opening day of the training CFO Chairperson, Secretary Romulo V. Arugay graced the event together with Consul General Romulo Victor Israel, Jr.

For the 5-Saturday Basic Baking Skills class held from September 2, 2023, resource speaker Ms. Mary Ann Nunez, an OFW and entrepreneur, taught preparation of popular bakery products such as pandesal, pan de coco, Spanish bread, assorted cookies, pastries and cupcakes to a 2-batchclass of about more than sixty (60) OFWs. After the training, the participants expressed their interest in putting up café and bakeries when they return to the Philippines.

Ms. Nora T. Abarientos, a Filipino marriage migrant in Korea, conducted the Korea Side-Dish (or Banchan) Making on September 17, 2023 to over forty (40) participants. OFWs learned how to prepare popular dishes such as fresh cabbage kimchi, stir-fried anchovies, seasoned spinach, fried pumpkin, and japchae.

According to Welfare Officer Aniceta Deuna, the participants conveyed that the skills trainings held every weekend did not only provide them new skills but promoted productive interactions, mentoring support for orderly reintegration, and positive camaraderie among themselves and their teachers.

For the next sessions, the Bartending classes will start on October 14, while the Basic Videography classes will commence on October 15. All classes are being held for free at the Embassy’s Migrant Workers and other Filipinos Resource Center. For further announcements, please visit the Embassy and MWO-Korea’s FB pages. -END-