GOVPH

PHL EMBASSY CONDUCTS FIELD PRE-VOTING ENROLLMENT AND ONLINE VOTING ACTIVITY IN DAEGU

13 April 2025, Daegu. As part of its efforts to increase accessibility and encourage voter participation, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul conducted a Field Pre-Voting Enrollment (PVE) and Online Voting (OV) Activity in Daegu from April 12 to 13, 2025. The outreach aimed to bring voter registration services closer to Overseas Filipinos in the southern region of Korea, particularly in Daegu City and nearby areas.

During the Field PVE and OV, the Embassy rendered assistance to a total of 100 Overseas Filipinos, including several community leaders whose participation is expected to help cascade vital electoral information throughout their respective Filipino communities. To ensure broader awareness and facilitate the enrollment process, the Embassy also distributed printed materials containing important dates for the 2025 National and Local Elections and a step-by-step guide to the PVE.

All registered and active Overseas Voters must complete the pre-voting enrollment until 07 May 2025 only, as required to verify their identity and ensure their access to the Online Voting and Counting System (OVCS) or online voting during the official Overseas Voting period which will open on 13 April 2025, 8:00 AM KST, and close on 12 May 2025, 8:00 PM KST.

Before the official start of the 30-day period of online Overseas Voting, those who have pre-enrolled can do Test Voting to familiarize themselves with the system. However, this feature of the OVCS is available only until 12 April 2025.

The Embassy is expected to continue with the Field PVE and Online Voting Outreach in Busan and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from April 19-20; Gyeonggi-do on April 26; and Hyehwadong, Seoul on May 4, 2025. We encourage Filipinos who are registered for overseas voting to exercise their right to vote. END

PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS MEET WITH KOREAN BUSINESS LEADERS TO ENCOURAGE INVESTMENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

9 April 2025, Seoul - Top members of the Philippine economic management team led by Special Assistant to the President for Economic and Investment Affairs Frederick Go and Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel met with executives from leading South Korean companies to discuss strategic opportunities and future collaboration in high-growth industries such as electric vehicles, shipbuilding, renewable energy, mining, space technology, and advanced manufacturing in the Philippines.

Secretary Go encouraged leaders and top executives of South Korean companies to take advantage and seize growing opportunities in the Philippines under the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) law.

The Special Assistant to the President likewise highlighted the rapid progress in infrastructure development and industrial growth in the Philippines as key priorities of the Marcos administration, presenting high-growth industries such as in electric vehicles, renewable energy, mining, and advanced manufacturing—sectors at the heart of the Philippines’ investment strategy to ROK executives as potential opportunities for collaboration and investment. The Secretary also witnessed an MOU signing between BCDA and Saekyung Industrial Co., along with executives from the Korea Overseas Infrastructure and Development Corporation.

Secretary Go also held a bilateral meeting with ROK Trade Minister Ahn Duk Geun ahead of the 2025 Philippine Business forum, where both sides discussed strategic avenues for stronger economic cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, supply chains, natural resources, and carbon-free energy. Both sides also noted how the two countries have established a basis for wider economic cooperation with their bilateral relations elevated to a strategic partnership. Minister Ahn also added that going forward, the ROK government plans to leverage economic cooperation platforms in making intergovernmental efforts to promote smooth business collaboration between the two countries.

Philippine Secretary for Agriculture Francisco Tiu-Laurel also joined business and investment meetings related to agricultural machinery and the modernization of the Philippine agriculture and agri-mechanization sectors, including a meeting with Korea Agricultural Machinery Industry Cooperation (KAMICO) and the Federation of Korean Industries (FKI).

Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo and Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichiosa from the Department of Trade and Industry - Board of Investments, Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros of the Department of Agriculture, Director Patrick Aquino of the Department of Energy, and the Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega also participated in the meetings which highlighted the Philippine investment strategy to Korean counterparts, positioning the country as a leading hub for investments and showcasing the new incentives introduced under the CREATE Act.

Joining Ambassador Dizon-De Vega as members of the Philippine Embassy economic team are Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, Commercial Attaché Charmaine Mignon S. Yalong, and Agricultural Attaché Lev Nikko Macalintal. END

 In photos: Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo and Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichiosa from the Department of Trade and Industry - Board of Investments, Undersecretary Jerome Oliveros of the Department of Agriculture, Director Patrick Aquino of the Department of Energy, and the Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by H.E. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega also participated in the meetings. Joining Ambassador Dizon-De Vega as members of the Philippine Embassy economic team are Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, Commercial Attaché Charmaine Mignon S. Yalong, and Agricultural Attaché Lev Nikko Macalintal. high-growth industries such as shipbuilding, electric vehicles, renewable energy, mining, space technology, and advanced manufacturing in the Philippines were among the areas of interest during the meetings. 

2025 CREATE MORE HIGH-LEVEL INVESTMENT MISSION AND ROADSHOW KICKS OFF IN SOUTH KOREA

8 April 2025 - “The Philippines is primed for investments, and we want the world to take notice,” Philippine Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Frederick D. Go said as he encouraged high-level Korean investors to capitalize on strategic incentives and emerging opportunities in the Philippines at the Philippine Business Forum in Seoul on 7 April 2025.

Citing enhancements in Philippine tax reform laws and a rapid and fast-paced commitment to infrastructure and industries, Secretary Go announced that the Philippines is open for more business.

“With our robust GDP growth, rising credit ratings, easing inflation, record-breaking investments, and bold, game-changing reforms, the Philippines is no longer just open for business—it is the place to invest, expand, and thrive,” according to the Secretary as he requested partners in the Republic of Korea, the 4th largest trading partner of the Philippines, to see the country not only as the next big investment destination, but also as a trusted economic partner and an ally in growth.

South Korea is the first stop of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises to Maximize Opportunities for Reinvigorating the Economy (CREATE MORE) High-Level Investment Mission and Roadshow.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, in her welcome remarks, underscored that initiatives such as the high-level investment mission to the Republic of Korea showcase the continued transformation of the Philippine economy and the strengthening of its strategic partnerships with key nations such as the Republic of Korea. The Ambassador also highlighted the invaluable role Korean businesses have played in the Philippine economy, noting that the roadshow, attended by more than 200 captains of industries and high-level executives, is a testament to the solid foundation both countries have built together.

DTI Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo highlighted complementary strategic opportunities between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea in manufacturing and critical raw materials processing, digital transformation and innovation, connectivity, space economy and space technology utilization, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and a just transition to clean energy. 

ROK Minister Ahn Duk Geun in his congratulatory message shared how the two countries have established a basis for wider economic cooperation with their bilateral relations elevated to a strategic partnership in 2024 and with a Free Trade Agreement in place. He added that going forward, the Korean government plans to leverage economic cooperation platforms in making intergovernmental efforts to promote smooth business collaboration between the two countries.

Smart agriculture, being one of the emerging sectors for engagement, was highlighted by Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu-Laurel who was present at the Business Forum and for meetings with the business sector. 

The presentations were followed by a panel discussion offering deeper insights into sectoral developments and investment opportunities, with representatives from both the Philippine government and private sector. Panelists include BOI Executive Director Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa of BOI, Department of Energy (DOE) Director Patrick T. Aquino, Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI) President Dan Lachica, Electric Vehicle Association of the Philippines (EVAP) President Edmund Araga, and Widus International Leisure, Inc. President Han Dae Sik.

The Philippine Business Forum was hosted by the Philippine Board of Investments (BOI) and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Seoul and co-organized with the Philippine Embassy in Korea, the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs and The Korea Times.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is honored to have participated in co-organizing the forum. END