GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL HOLDS PIONEERING LABOR SEMINAR FOR NEW FILIPINO EPS WORKERS

The 45 participants to the Labor Seminar for Newly Arrived EPS Workers pose with Consul General Christian de Jesus, Embassy officers, and resource persons during the closing ceremony.

Seoul, 14 July 2019 – The Philippine Embassy conducted the first Labor Seminar for Newly Arrived Filipino EPS workers on 14 July 2019 at the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Embassy - Seoul.

The seminar is a pioneering post-arrival program launched by the Embassy, through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Seoul (POLO-OWWA) for all Filipino EPS workers with less than one (1) year stay in Korea to provide them with guidance on successfully working and living in Korea.

The seminar discussed the basic employment terms of EPS workers such as wages, hours of work, grounds for work transfer and re-entry, healthcare and medical benefits, and insurance in case of death, sickness, injury and departure. It also covered the various programs and services of the Embassy and POLO-OWWA, including the contingency and security plans for Filipinos in Korea. The participants went through a financial goal setting exercise, and received practical tips for establishing positive relationships with employers, co-workers and their communities.

In his closing message, Consul General Christian de Jesus enjoined the participants to be ambassadors of goodwill and continue to demonstrate the traits that the global Filipinos are known for: highly skilled, hardworking, dependable, and diligent. As newcomers in Korea, he encouraged them to be actively engaged in FilCom and Embassy activities, and get in touch with the Embassy on their various concerns.  

One of the highlights of the seminar was the inspiring story shared by Mr. Jhumar Tablatin, an EPS worker since 2014 and current Chairman of Sulyapinoy, who underscored the importance of initiative, continuous learning, work life balance, and engagement in FilCom work as key to a rewarding work and life of EPS worker. “Learn to save, learn to invest while you can, and focus on achieving your goal, because we never know what is ahead of us”, he said.  

Aside from Mr. Tablatin, other guest speakers include Elena dela Cruz of the Seoul Global Center, Hee Jim Kee of National Health Insurance Service, Merlyn Lucenta of Samsung Fire Insurance, and JayR Manalo of FEWA. From the Embassy, Labor Attache Maya Valderrama, Welfare Officer Pops Deuna, Asst. Labor Attache Terelou Pimentel, Defense Attache Armil Angeles, and Second Secretary Mildred Abordo also acted as resource persons during the seminar.

The Embassy will continue to offer the seminar as a regular program for newly arrived Filipino EPS Workers. Interested persons may contact POLO OWWA at (822)37853634/ 5 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for details. END

Consul General Christian de Jesus congratulates the participants during his closing Message.

Labor Attache Maya Valderrama moderates the question and answer portion of the seminar.

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL HOLDS GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR PARTICIPANTS OF REINTEGRATION TRAINING PROGRAM

Ambassador Noe A. Wong with PE Seoul officials and staff pose with the trainers and graduates of the Reintegration Training Program during the graduation ceremony on 30 June 2019 at Sentro Rizal, Philippine Embassy-Seoul.

Seoul, 30 June 2019 – Ambassador Noe A. Wong led in the conferment of Certificates to ninety-five (95) OFW-participants who completed the various livelihood seminars conducted by POLO OWWA for the 1^st semester of 2019 during the Graduation Ceremony of the Reintegration Training Program held on 30 June 2019 at the Sentro Rizal, Philippine Embassy – Seoul.

In his message, Ambassador Wong lauded the extraordinary talent and competence of Filipinos overseas and encouraged them to value and love their work. He stated that Filipinos in Korea are very fortunate to have employment opportunities with good remuneration package and social protection under Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS). He enjoined the graduates to continue to participate in the National Reintegration Programs, which is the primary program of the Philippine government for OFWs, internalize what they learn, and cascade these skills even to the members of their families to maximize the benefits of overseas employment and ensure their successful return and reintegration.

The Ambassador also announced the forthcoming activities that the Embassy has lined up to commemorate the 70^th year of Bilateral Relations of the Philippines and Korea this year. The said activities include the Diplomatic Reception, PHL-ROK Bayanihan Parade, Commemoration of the Landing of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea and others.

On behalf of the participants, Mrs. Geraldine Mortel expressed appreciation for the training programs conducted by the Embassy through POLO OWWA, to their teachers, and the highly interactive format of the training that enabled them to immediately apply their learnings. Barely two (2) weeks after attending the Longganisa and Tofu Making Training, Ms Mortel said that she was already able to develop and sell her longganisa products, and has been receiving steady orders ever since.

Assisting Ambassador Wong during the Graduation Ceremony were Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama, Welfare Officer Pops Deuna, Asst. Labor Attache Terelou Pimentel, Second Secretary Mildred Abordo, and OWWA Interpreter Joey Fiedacan.

For the first semester of 2019, POLO OWWA conducted the following training: Traditional Korea Wine Making, Basic Photography Class, Basic Sewing and Dressmaking Class, Basic Massage Therapy Training, and Longganisa and Tofu Making Training. OFWs in Korea are invited to participate in forthcoming training for the 2^nd half of 2019, which includes Advanced Sewing Class, Financial Education, Agri-Entrepreneurship Training, Table Setting, and Flower Arrangement Seminars, and others. Interested persons may call (822)37853634/5. END

Ambassador Noe A. Wong delivers his inspirational message to the graduates of the Reintegration Training Program.

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SOUTH KOREA CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH MISSION IN DAEGU

The Philippine Embassy consular team rendered various services including passport applications and renewals, civil registration, notarials, NBI clearance application, certifications, and citizenship reacquisition, among others, during the two-day mission, which benefitted more than 300 Filipinos in Daegu.

24 June 2019 - The Philippine Embassy in South Korea conducted a Consular Outreach Mission on 21-22 June 2019 at the Catholic Migrant Workers Center located in Daegu, South Korea’s fourth largest city.

The outreach mission was organized in cooperation with the Daegu Catholic Workers Center and the officers and members of the Daegu Filipino Catholic Community (DFCC).

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Lyza Maria S. Viejo led the six-member consular outreach team in bringing various services to the Filipino Community in Daegu including passport application and renewal, civil registration, NBI clearance application, notarial services, and citizenship reacquisition, among others. Vice Consul Viejo also provided information on embassy services, as well as pertinent advice and assistance to Filipinos in Daegu and surrounding cities. The consular team processed a total of 311 consular services during the two-day period, serving more than 300 Filipinos.

Mr. James Lumantas, PAG-IBIG representative, joined the Embassy team to provide assistance and information to Filipino workers regarding their PAG-IBIG membership. Loans, and investments. END

The Philippine Embassy consular team rendered various services including passport applications and renewals, civil registration, notarials, NBI clearance application, certifications, and citizenship reacquisition, among others, during the two-day mission, which benefitted more than 300 Filipinos in Daegu.