GOVPH

OFWS IN KOREA TRAIN IN CHEMICAL SAFETY

[Top-left photo] Dr. Roh Young Man demonstrating the correct way of wearing PPEs when handling chemicals. [Top-right photo] Labor Attaché Maya Valderrama presenting the Certificate of Appreciation to Dr. Roh Young Man with IGVC Director Katherine Corteza. [Bottom photo] Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel gives the inspirational message during the 2022 Chemical Safety Training for Filipino EPS Workers.

18 July 2022, Seoul. Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Korea participated in the 2022 Chemical Safety Training for Filipino EPS Workers on 10 July 2022 as part of the Labor Education Program being implemented by the Philippine Embassy in Korea through the Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO).

The seminar, which is the first face-to-face training held this year, was organized with the support of Korea’s Ministry of Environment and Chemical Management Association in partnership with the Itaewon Global Village Center (IGVC).

Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., Labor Attaché Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama were both on hand while IGVC Director Katherine Corteza who also translated the seminar in Filipino lent her presence at the activity.

During the 3-hour session, the resource speaker, Dr. Roh Young Man, Ph.D. of RCHEM Som Hyeon Chemical Consulting Co., covered the importance of safe handling of chemicals at the workplace, understanding labels and signages, how to correctly use personal protective wear, and standards in reporting and responding in the event of accidents involving chemicals.

In his message, Consul General Israel lauded the EPS workers who spent their weekend in learning occupational health and safety measures in the workplace, many of whom travelled from outside Seoul where the seminar was held. He underscored the importance of basic training on chemical safety particularly since majority of OFWs in Korea are working in manufacturing companies as production workers.  “Promoting safety and health by preventing industrial accidents is an important component of the Embassy’s response in ensuring that the rights and welfare of our Filipinos working abroad are protected. We have to continuously ‘sharpen the saw’, and so we also encourage you to attend our regular seminars which include the Know-Your-Rights-and-Responsibilities series, financial literacy program, skills training and PEAK Pinoy”, the Consul General said.

In addition to the topic on chemical safety, the participants also had the opportunity to receive a briefing about Korea’s anti-tuberculosis program and updated procedures in securing Overseas Employment Certificates (OEC) from POLO. The participants received Course Completion Certificates issued by Korea’s Ministry of Environment which is recognized for official purposes such as labor and immigration points. -END-

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR DIZON-DE VEGA MEETS WITH SOGANG UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT

SEOUL, 17 July 2022 — Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with Sogang University President Fr. “Luke” Jong-hyeok Sim, SJ and members of the university’s Academic Affairs leadership team including Dr. Tai-Kyong Song, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dr. Soonkee Kim, Executive Vice President for Research and External Affairs on 14 July 2022. Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario was likewise present at the call.

Sogang, a Catholic University, is the oldest Jesuit institution of higher education in South Korea. During the call, Fr. Luke Sim acknowledged Sogang’s strong ties with Philippine Catholic Universities including the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), the University of Sto. Tomas, and numerous St. Paul’s Universities around the Philippines. Ambassador De Vega assured Sogang University that it can look forward to the Embassy’s assistance in linking Sogang to other higher education institutions in the Philippines in the future. Ambassador De Vega was also pleased to receive feedback that Filipino exchange students in Sogang University do well in their studies, and expressed hope that the two-way academic exchanges between the Philippines and Korea will continue. She also invited Korean students taking part in Philippine immersion programs of the Association of Catholic Universities in Korea to visit the Embassy before they depart for the Philippines.

During the call Ambassador Dizon-De Vega recalled her law studies at one of Sogang University’s sister institutions the Ateneo School of Law while Fr. Sim likewise recalled fondly his experiences in the Philippines, having spent time in the country as a young theologian. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY ADMINISTERS OATH TO OFFICERS OF BISDAK KOREA

17 July 2022, Seoul. Ambassador Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega administered the oath-taking of the officers of the Filipino community organization Bisayang Dako or BISDAK in South Korea. Organized in 2018, BISDAK aims to serve and help its members living in Korea to become “strong and efficient” members of society. They renewed their Certificate of Registration as a Filipino community organization in Korea in June 2022 and have in the past organized activities that promote member camaraderie and welfare. The new set of officers was led by its President Ms. Donnabelle J. Casipong who is originally from Cebu.

Witnessing the oath-taking were Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista, Cultural Officer Anthony Cornista, ATN Officer Fatima Tabio, and Secretariat Staff Ms. Bernadette Geronilla. END