GOVPH

PHILIPPINES PARTICIPATES IN THE GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE COOPERATION CONFERENCE (GICC) 2023

25 September 2023, Seoul – The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led by Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan participated in the Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2023 held from 19 to 20 September 2023 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Secretary Bonoan was joined by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, and Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista and Ramon A. Arriola III during the two-day conference.

Now on its 11^th year, the GICC continuous to serve as an important venue for government agencies, private companies and multilateral development banks to build network and share recent developments in the infrastructure sector. The conference was hosted by MOLIT and organized by the International Contractors Association of Korea (ICAK) and was attended by 60 delegates from 24 countries

Secretary Bonoan delivered his congratulatory remarks at the opening of the GICC 2023 expressing appreciation to the ROK government for extending assistance to the Philippines’ infrastructure projects. The ROK government, through the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund, assisted the Philippines in the completion of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project (SPCR), which was inaugurated on 13 July 2023 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The Philippines continues to work with the Republic of Korea on various infrastructure projects to improve travel time and boost the Philippine economy.

Secretary Bonoan also led the Philippine delegation in a high-level bilateral meeting with Minister Hee-ryong Won of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to discuss upcoming infrastructure projects and other areas for cooperation. They also met with Korean construction companies and leaders of the infrastructure industry on the sidelines of the GICC 2023. END

OFWS IN SOUTH KOREA JOIN OWWA LIVELIHOOD SKILLS TRAININGS AT THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL

17 September 2023, Seoul – Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in South Korea participate in the 2^nd season of the 2023 Livelihood Skills Training Program series organized by the Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office – Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (MWO-OWWA) in Seoul starting in August 2023.

The program aims to inform the OFWs about the livelihood support program and services of OWWA for OFWs, and provide them with the basic investment tips and introductory skills on the various start-up livelihood projects which they can easily undertake to supplement their family incomes or as part of their reintegration plans.

Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega welcomed the enthusiasm of OFWs to spend their weekends attending activities initiated by the Embassy and MWO-OWWA such as the information sessions, labor education, and skills trainings. “We are inspired by the big number of registrants and attendees to these activities designed for our OFWs and other Filipinos living in South Korea, and we are committed to support their development, welfare and reintegration plans through relevant initiatives such as these”, the Ambassador said.  

For the 4-Sunday Basic Barista class held from August 27, 2023, over fifty (50) OFW participants learned how to prepare the basic coffee drinks, fruit juices, and cool ades usually served in cafes through lectures and actual workshops conducted by Ms. Margielyn Torres, a Filipino migrant in Korea and experienced barista. On the opening day of the training CFO Chairperson, Secretary Romulo V. Arugay graced the event together with Consul General Romulo Victor Israel, Jr.

For the 5-Saturday Basic Baking Skills class held from September 2, 2023, resource speaker Ms. Mary Ann Nunez, an OFW and entrepreneur, taught preparation of popular bakery products such as pandesal, pan de coco, Spanish bread, assorted cookies, pastries and cupcakes to a 2-batchclass of about more than sixty (60) OFWs. After the training, the participants expressed their interest in putting up café and bakeries when they return to the Philippines.

Ms. Nora T. Abarientos, a Filipino marriage migrant in Korea, conducted the Korea Side-Dish (or Banchan) Making on September 17, 2023 to over forty (40) participants. OFWs learned how to prepare popular dishes such as fresh cabbage kimchi, stir-fried anchovies, seasoned spinach, fried pumpkin, and japchae.

According to Welfare Officer Aniceta Deuna, the participants conveyed that the skills trainings held every weekend did not only provide them new skills but promoted productive interactions, mentoring support for orderly reintegration, and positive camaraderie among themselves and their teachers.

For the next sessions, the Bartending classes will start on October 14, while the Basic Videography classes will commence on October 15. All classes are being held for free at the Embassy’s Migrant Workers and other Filipinos Resource Center. For further announcements, please visit the Embassy and MWO-Korea’s FB pages. -END-

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY HOLDS BACK-TO-BACK LABOR EDUCATION SEMINARS FOR EPS WORKERS

mbassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega, Seoul PE, addresses the participants of the “Palit-Visa Seminar” and “Information Session on KIIP” held at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 3 September 2023. Mr. Jang Manik of Visa Korea, and Director Katherine Corteza of the Itaewon Global Village Center were the resource speakers of the back-to-back labor education seminar organized by the Embassy and MWO-Korea.

13 September 2023, Seoul - The Philippine Embassy and the Migrant Workers Office in Seoul conducted the “Palit-Visa Seminar” back-to-back with the “Information Session on Korea Immigration and Integration Program (KIIP)” on 03 September 2023 at the Sentro Rizal Hall of the Philippine Embassy. The event was attended by around 100 OFWs including more than 100 online participants.

The program provides Filipino workers under Korea’s Employment Permit System (EPS) with comprehensive information on how to plan and prepare for obtaining E7 visa (special occupation) from E9 (non-professional), and navigate the procedure for successfully availing of the KIIP, thereby optimizing opportunities for a longer and legal stay in South Korea.

According to Ambassador Theresa Dizon–De Vega, the seminar is one of the most in-demand and well-attended information sessions for EPS workers, and is being conducted for the second time this year. “We are doing this, not only to enable our EPS workers to take full advantage of longer-term and productive employment opportunities in South Korea, but more importantly, to arm them with correct, clear, and authorized knowledge for it is with the right information that you can reap the corresponding benefits”, the Ambassador said. She added that the success of the seminar also rests on the continued partnership of the Embassy with the Filipino community leaders and organizations, and resource persons who actively support its efforts for the development and welfare of OFWs.

Mr. Jang Manik, a government licensed administrative agent and representative of Visa Korea was the resource expert for the “Palit Visa Seminar”. This session was streamed live on FB which garnered over 15,000 views.

Director Katherine Corteza of the Itaewon Global Village Center (IGVC), a long-time partner of the Embassy and MWO in Seoul in its Labor Education series, was the main speaker for the Information Session on the KIIP. The hands-on, step-by-step tutorial enabled each of the participants to register, enroll and/or schedule their participation in the upcoming KIIP, with the assistance of some Filipino community leaders and volunteers.

The Filipino community in Korea is enjoined to join upcoming information and labor education seminars to be announced through the Embassy webpage and FB pages. Interested persons may also view the recorded session on “Palit Visa Seminar” at the FB Page of Migrant Workers Office – Korea. END