The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR WELCOMES NEW EPS WORKERS IN THE 2ND POST-ARRIVAL SEMINAR

PR MTD 64 2022 PAOS Seminar

07 June 202, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy welcomed another batch of Filipino EPS workers who recently arrived in Korea during the 2^nd Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) dubbed as “Labor Seminar Para Sa Mga Bagong EPS Workers”. The two-part virtual seminar was held on 29 May and 05 June 2022 and attended by around 250 workers.

In her Welcome Message, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega once again affirmed the Embassy’s commitment to ensuring the welfare of EPS workers who have waited for a long time to be deployed in Korea due to the pandemic. “We have customized this special orientation program for you. We will not only discuss the labor laws in Korea, but all the support services available to you from the Philippine and Korean governments and the Filipino community. We also have a special session wherein you will be able to firm up your goals and financial plans because we believe these are key to your successful journey as EPS workers,” the Ambassador said.

In Part 1 of the seminar held on 29 May 2022, the new EPS workers were apprised by Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr., Welfare Officer Aniceta Deuna and AS Manny Barotilla on the services and programs rendered by the Philippine Embassy and POLO OWWA for OFWs. Guest labor attorney Sue Hee Kim then explained the provisions of the employment contract and explained Korean laws on hours of work, leave, wages, social protection and separation.

In Part 2, held on 05 June 2022, the virtual seminar discussed practical ways on how to make their employment and stay in Korea gainful and productive. Mr. Ernie Docot, an EPS worker for 10 years and a FilCom leader from the Gwangju, Jeollanamdo Philippine Community, encouraged participants to continuously learn new skills, adjust to Korean work ethics, participate in FilCom activities, and avoid vices and scams. This was followed by a workshop on setting one’s personal goals facilitated by Labor Attaché Maria Celeste Valderrama, and a discussion on Financial Planning which was handled by Professor Joeffrey M. Calimag. Pag-IBIG Member Services Officer James Lumantas talked about how OFWs can maximize the compulsory and voluntary savings under MP2.

To help the workers navigate their new environment, Director Katherine Ann Corteza of the Itaewon Global Village Center presented the services and contact information of Korea’s support centers for foreign workers which offer, among others, free language and skills training, and counseling on labor, immigration, and police matters. Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. concluded the seminar by inviting the new workers to choose and be involved in the various Filipino Community Organizations which also lend support to all Filipinos living and working in South Korea.

“Napakalaking tulong po itong seminar na ito sa amin. Nabago po ang aming kaisipan, at naunawaan ang kahalagahan ng mga serbisyo at pagpaplano sa simula pa lamang”, one of the participants wrote.

The Philippine Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office – OWWA, will hold the 3^rd PAOS for succeeding new EPS workers in October 2022. -END-

PH Congratulates and Re-affirms Support for GGGI on its 10th Anniversary

PR MTD 63 2022 GGGI Anniversary

Amb. De Vega and GGGI President and Chair Ban Ki-Moon offer remarks at the GGGI 10^th anniversary in Seoul

13 June 2022, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega was one of the invited speakers at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) 10^th anniversary event held at the GGGI Headquarters in Seoul, Korea on 09 June 2022.

The GGGI is a treaty-based international, inter-governmental organization which aims to support and promote strong, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth in developing and emerging economies.

GGGI Chair and President former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon in his keynote remarks expressed appreciation to the GGGI member countries and other partners for being steadfast in their support for the organization’s programs. Chair Ban reiterated his call for Climate Action and hoped that with pandemic recovery high on the priority list of countries and the private sector, it will be a movement towards a greener and better normal.

As one of two representatives of member countries invited to speak at the event, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega lauded GGGI on its work in supporting the realization of the SDGs, especially on climate resilience and green growth development strategies. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also mentioned a pioneering GGGI project in Oriental Mindoro which empowers Filipino women to be drivers of climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable micro-enterprise.

Other speakers at the event were 2^nd Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of ROK Lee Do Hoon, GGGI DG Dr. Frank Rijsberman, Denmark Climate Change Ambassador Thomas Anke Christensen, Jeju Research Institute President Dr. Kim Sang-Hyop, Ambassador Daniel Matute Mejia of Peru. END

PHILIPPINES AGRI-FISHERIES AND EXPORT PRODUCTS AT SEOUL FOOD EXPO 2022 AND ASEAN TRADE FAIR

PR MTD 62 2022 Seoul Food Expo and ASEAN Trade Fair

09 JUNE 2022, SEOUL – The Philippines participated in two major commercial exhibitions, Seoul Food Expo 2022 and the ASEAN Trade Fair held from 07 to 10 June 2022 at KINTEX, Ilsan, Republic of Korea. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega graced the opening ceremony of both events and visited the Philippine pavilions.

Seoul Food Expo is Asia’s 4^th largest food industry exhibition now on its 40^th year. Philippines participation in the expo was spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul with 20 Philippine companies showcasing agri-fishery export products like fresh Cavendish and Cardava banana, pineapple, papaya and mangoes, VCO and coconut-based products, frozen tropical fruits, and okra. Also on display are dried mangoes, banana chips, taro snacks, and fruit-flavored spirits and items. The fishery sector was represented by Philippine exporters of frozen and processed milkfish, as well as frozen and processed shrimp products. PhilFoodEx representing the private sector likewise participated in the Expo led by President Ruben See of See’s International Food Mfg Inc. Participating on-site aside from See’s Intl were Avante, Fisher Farms, Inc., Oleo-Fats, Inc., Pasciolco Agri Ventures, and Bahaghari Global Food, Inc.

Other companies with displays included Jel Farm Fresh Produce Enterprise, Hi-Las Marketing Corporation, Eng Seng Food Products, Martsons Food Corp. Peter Paul / Wellness Care Int’l Corp. (VCO & coconut products), Yamangbukid, C. O. P. Pili sweets and pastries (pili nut Destileria Limtuaco, Sangkutsa Food Products Inc., SAMANCE Agro Products, Inc., Fruits of Life, Inc., Good Sense Food and Juices Corp., Seabest Food Corp., Shelfmates, Cocoplus Aquarian Dev’t.Corp., Lion Heart Farms Phils. Corp.,Rosario’s Delicacies, and Limketkai Mfg. Corp.

Korea is the 4th largest destination of Philippine agri-food exports, with USD526.83 million total agri-fisheries exports value in 2021. Despite the pandemic, the Philippines recorded a 20% increase in agri-fisheries exports from 2020 to 2021, generating a USD228.39 million trade surplus over Korea.

The Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Seoul also organized the Philippine booth displaying new products from Oh So Healthy chips, Malagos chololate, Magic Melt Otap, Doña Maria Brown Rice puffs and B&C Mango chews at the ASEAN Trade Fair. The fair was organized by the ASEAN Korea Centre (AKC) in cooperation with the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) to promote market access of ASEAN products to ROK. This is in line with ASEAN’s goal towards equitable economic development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which serves as a significant driving force behind the ASEAN economy. END

PHILIPPINES AND KOREA SIGNS MOU ON VETERANS AFFAIRS COOPERATION

PR MTD 61 2022

SEOUL, 05 June 2022 — Philippines National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and ROK Patriot and Veterans Affairs Minister Park Minshik sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Veterans Affairs Cooperation, during Secretary Lorenzana’s Official Visit to Seoul, at the Westin Josun Seoul Hotel on 03 June 2022.

The Philippines-Korea MOU will strengthen support for each countries’ Korean War veterans and exchanges among the veterans’ descendants. Also present during the signing ceremony was Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon De-Vega, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina, and Ms. Young Erlinda Mae, the daughter of the late Maj. Maximo Young (ret), president of the Philippine War Veterans Association, officials from the Ministry of Patriot and Veterans Affairs, and descendants of Korean War veterans.

The MOU contributes meaningfully to the realization of the shared objectives of PH and ROK in expanding international projects honoring the sacrifices and dedications of veterans, including the 7,420 Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) troops the Philippines sent in support of South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War. It is the third-largest force contribution after the United States and Britain to the war. The Republic of Korea, has continuously manifested support for the Philippine government’s endeavors concerning PEFTOK veterans through the years and most recently various donations during the COVID-19 pandemic for elderly Filipino Korean War veterans and their families.

Both Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening veterans affairs cooperation through the establishment of a consultative body as well as participation in veterans affairs activities organized by both countries. END