GOVPH

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

PASSING OF FORMER PRESIDENT FIDEL V. RAMOS (1928-2022)

The Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Korea joins the Filipino nation in  mourning the passing of the 12^th President of the Philippines Fidel Valdez Ramos  on 31 July 2022. The former President was 94 years old.

Former President Ramos was a visionary leader in foreign policy and a beacon of democracy. He promoted principles of economic development and instituted the concept of “Complete Staff Work” (CSW) in government for global competitiveness. Among his many post-Presidential term pursuits, he was the Philippines’ representative in the Eminent Person’s Group (EPG) on the ASEAN Charter.

He had a special relationship with the Republic of Korea as he was a member of the Philippine Expeditionary Forces to Korea (PEFTOK) who fought valiantly alongside their South Korean counterparts during the Korean War from 1950-1953. PEFTOK consisted of five combat battalions under the UN Command. Of the 7,420 Filipino soldiers who saw action, 112 were killed and 299 were wounded in action. Former President Ramos was then a second lieutenant and a fresh graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1950 when he volunteered for combat duty at the outbreak of the Korean War. He was assigned as the reconnaissance platoon leader of the reconnaissance company of the 20th Battalion Combat Team (BCT) and led a forty-four man unit to victory in the Battle of Eerie Hill.

As a Korean War veteran, the former President undertook numerous trips to the Republic of Korea and represented the Philippines in official veterans ceremonies including the 60^th anniversary of the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement. He was proud to recount the sacrifices of Filipino soldiers to defend democracy and freedom in the Korean Peninsula and in his later years sought to further strengthen Philippine – ROK relations.

For his great service to the Republic of Korea, former President Ramos was awarded the Cheonsu Medal, Order of National Security Merit given to individuals for outstanding meritorious services in the interest of national security and the Grand Order of Mugunghwa, the highest order awarded by the government of South Korea for meritorious services in the interest of promoting the development and security.

The officers and staff of the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Korea convey profoundest condolences to the family of former President Fidel V. Ramos.