GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY CONDUCTS THIRD CONSULAR OUTREACH AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS TRAINING IN GWANGJU CITY

30 July 2022, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy conducted its third consular outreach mission for the year from 29 to 30 July 2022 in Gwangju, led by Consul General Romulo Victor Israel. The Embassy rendered nearly 313 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, likewise joined the outreach and rendered a combined 76 services, including renewal of OWWA membership and OEC processing, contract verification, and opening of PAG-IBIG regular and MP2 accounts, among others.

Alongside the outreach, a series of seminars on various topics affecting Filipino nationals were undertaken by the Philippine Embassy team. Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista and ATN Officer Fatima Tabio discussed Assistance-to-Nationals services. Attached services representatives such as Welfare Officer Aniceta G. Deuna spoke on OWWA services while Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Enriqueto Deocadez, Jr., discussed contingency security situations and how to respond to extraordinary situations. Some aspects of the Korean criminal law system and practical tips for migrants’ greater awareness and protection were presented by Gwangju Police Officer Lee Sang Min. 

An appreciation ceremony for the volunteers from the Gwangju Jeonnam Philippine Community Center and the Gwangju Filipino Catholic Community was also held to conclude the outreach. The Philippine Embassy is expected to conduct its fourth consular outreach for the year in Jeju Island in the fall of 2022. END

PH AMBASSADOR WELCOMES NEW EPS WORKERS IN KOREA

2 August 2022, Seoul - Ambassador Theresa B. Dizon–De Vega warmly welcomed 158 Employment Permit System (EPS) workers who arrived in Korea early this morning, 2 August 2022 at the Incheon Airport. The new latest worker arrivals bring to 2,906 the total number of Filipino EPS workers who have entered Korea since deployment resumed in November 2021.

In her welcome message, Ambassador de Vega reaffirmed the support of the Philippine Embassy and POLO OWWA for the welfare and protection of Filipino workers in Korea. She conveyed her wishes for the successful, orderly, and safe employment of the newly-arrived workers, and enjoined all of them to participate in the various activities of the Embassy for the Filipino community such as the Post-Arrival Orientation for New EPS Workers (PAOS) and various skills, training, legal, livelihood, reintegration, and information seminars, including the Embassy’s Peak Pinoy program.

EPS Rachelle Lomibao, representing the 82 regular workers, and EPS Roy Luis Albajera, representing the 76 Sincere (special re-entry) workers, expressed their appreciation for the support of the Philippine and Korean governments in facilitating their safe and orderly deployment to Korea.

Joining the Ambassador in welcoming the new EPS workers were Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama and Welfare Officer Aniceta Deuna, together with Deputy Director Kim Hyun Sung of the Foreign Workforce Bureau of HRDK and Ms. Mona Jeoung of KBIZ. END

PH AMBASSADOR MEETS WITH GOYANG INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION CHIEF ON CITY-TO-CITY COOPERATION

Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega (center) with Goyang City and Embassy Officials. Goyang City team presented the Ambassador with a Korean lantern especially handcrafted using woodworking techniques unique to Goyang for the Ambassador.

SEOUL, 28 July 2022 -- Goyang City’s International Cooperation Team (Branding Division) Ms. Jeong So-yeong, Team Leader, and Ms. Mijeong “MJ” Park, Senior Specialist for International Relations paid a courtesy call on Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega to discuss Goyang City’s interest in city-to-city cooperation with municipalities in the Philippines. Joining Ambassador De Vega were Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr., Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, and Cultural Officer Anthony Z. Cornista.

During the call, both sides discussed the importance of increased local government cooperation, especially in partnering with cities with existing complementarities. Goyang City is known as a city of higher education and technical skills training,  MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) industry, tourism, green development, technological exchange, and agriculture. Ambassador De Vega also expressed that like Goyang a proud member of the UN Cities for a Sustainable Future (ESCAP), many municipalities in the Philippines are also working to achieve the balance between urban and rural development.

Both sides also discussed the important role the Filipino community plays in the Republic of Korea, as Filipinos are the 6^th largest ethnic and multicultural group in Goyang City. Filipino residents in Goyang are known to be active in cultural and church activities. Goyang is also home to the Korean War Monument to the Philippine Armed Forces which was built in 1974 as a tribute to the Philippines’ valiant efforts during the Korean War.

At the end of the call, both sides looked forward to working closely together to realize a city-to-city partnership with Goyang in the future. END