GOVPH

PH Highlights Digital Innovations in Civil Service at Asia Public Network Conference

09 December 2024, Seoul. The Philippines represented by CSC Commissioner Ryan Alvin Acosta, Assistant Commissioner Nerissa Canguilan, and Atty. Lord Bien Lelay took part in the Asia Public Network Conference (APNC) jointly organized by the Korean Ministry of Personnel Management (MPM) and the OECD, held on November 20, 2024 in Seoul. The CSC delegation was joined by Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega at the conference.

The APNC brought together senior policymakers, public management experts, and representatives from Asian nations to address challenges and opportunities in modernizing public governance. The annual conference focused on fostering resilient, innovative, and citizen-centered public administration systems across the region.

CSC Commissioner Acosta made a presentation on the digitalization efforts in the Philippine Public Service Sector. He shared the latest innovations of the CSC on online appointment system processing (OAPS), the Civil Service Digital Examination (CSDex), and Learning Management System (LMS).

The three innovation programs are envisioned to help transform the management of the private sector with the OAPS being a platform that will optimize the evaluation and attestation of appointments in the government service. The CSDex is a cloud-based platform that would allow online examinations to be conducted in any even with internet connectivity. The LMS facilitates the conduct of online instructor-led course and online self-paced courses.

The Philippines joined other participating countries in underscoring the critical role of effective public governance in addressing the challenges of the 21st century and that by fostering regional cooperation, sharing best practices, and leveraging digital innovation, more resilient and citizen-centered public administration systems in Asia can prosper. END

PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES AT THE FIFTH SESSION OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE (INC-5) HELD IN BUSAN, REPUBLIC OF KOREA

2 December 2024 - Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega was honored to form part of the Philippine delegation participating in the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment held from 25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, South Korea. 

Undersecretary for Planning, Policy, and International Affairs Jonas R. Leones of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) was head of the Philippine delegation. The Philippines is the only Southeast Asian nation to include a senior official from the Department of Health (represented by Undersecretary Ann Palermo-Maestral) in its delegation, leading the charge for sustainable healthcare in the region. 

The INC-5 was convened for states to agree upon an internationally binding agreement to reduce plastic pollution. It was estimated that 3,500 people attended, including government officials from 170 United Nations member states, 31 international organizations, industry, civic groups, and academia.

During negotiations, the Philippines called for the need to build a pathway towards the global reduction in plastic production at sustainable levels, the need for binding rules on products, chemicals, and design that ensure a globally coordinated approach, and strong international cooperation tied to the means of implementation to close the gaps in financing, technical, technological, and other capacities in developing countries—particularly archipelagic states and other geographically disadvantaged states, among others.

The Philippines also supported a standalone Article on Health, cognizant that a plastic pollution crisis is also a health crisis, and stood in solidarity with the 95 other delegations that call for a strong plastics treaty.

As host, the Republic of Korea enjoined all members to “end plastic pollution before plastic pollution ends us.” The Republic of Korea also highlighted the country’s efforts to tackle plastic waste, such as introducing the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system 20 years ago to reduce waste and increase recycling rates and strengthening the system through the Act on Promotion of Transition to Circular Economy and Society in 2024, while pledging to share these experiences with the global community. ROK Foreign Minister Cho Tae-Yul and Minister of Environment Kim Wansup served as ROK co-chairs of the event. They were joined by around plus 140 officials from the ROK ministries of foreign affairs, environment, trade, industry and energy, and oceans and fisheries.

The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC5) for a Global Plastics Treaty concluded in Busan on 2 December 2024, with plans for a final negotiation meeting. END

PHL EMBASSY LAUNCHES BOOK DAYO 이 민 자: STORIES OF MIGRATION IN CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS OF PHL-ROK DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS

2 December 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul launched dayo 이민자: Stories of Migration, a commemorative publication marking 75 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea, on 1 December 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. The book highlights the resilience, aspirations, and contributions of Filipino and Korean migrants, weaving their stories into a compelling narrative that bridges cultural divides and fosters mutual understanding.

The launch followed the International Forum on Migration and was attended by members of the book's Editorial Board led by Editor-in-Chief Erlinda Mae Young, contributors, and forum participants, both in person and online. In her congratulatory message, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega emphasized the publication’s significance in amplifying migrant voices and deepening the ties between the two nations. She noted that dayo serves as a testament to the shared journeys, experiences, and aspirations that have strengthened the enduring friendship between the Philippines and South Korea.

The book, which is published with an English version on one side and a Korean version on the other, categorizes migration stories into five themes. Community advocates include Filipino and Korean civic workers who embody the spirit of service and cross-cultural collaboration; multicultural builders feature marriage migrants navigating integration, family dynamics, and cultural adaptation, enriching their communities with diverse traditions; industry drivers highlight migrant workers and entrepreneurs who strengthen the economic ties of both countries, while forging deep cultural connections; thought leaders showcase Filipino and Korean students, scholars, and educators who promote academic excellence; and creative champions focus on athletes, artists, and performers whose work transcends cultural and linguistic barriers, uniting people through shared passions.

Among the notable individuals featured in dayo are CFO Bagong Bayani awardees Rodney Queman and Dr. Ariel Bernardo; executive chefs Kibum Park and Belgium Villanueva; entertainers Ryan Bang, Dasuri Choi and HORI7ON; football athlete Gwibeom Nam; Filipino-Korea Spouses Association Founding President Fe Gimarino-Kim; professors Donghyub Kim, Kyungmin Bae and Joel David; student organization Pinoy Iskolars sa Korea; Seoul Honorary Citizen Awardee Katherine Corteza; Chairpersons of Korea Chamber of Commerce Ill-Kyoung Park and Ho Ik Lee; and Korea National Merit Awardee Jae Jung Jang.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega expressed hope that dayo would foster greater empathy and understanding, and underscore the strong people-to-people cooperation between Philippines and South Korea. As a heartfelt tribute to the migrants who shape the communities they belong to, dayo stands as a testament to the enduring friendship between the two nations, inspiring continued collaboration and mutual respect in the years to come. END