GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY WELCOMES THE PHILIPPINE SCOUT CONTINGENT TO THE 25TH WORLD SCOUT JAMBOREE AT “2023 SAEMANGEUM”

16 August 2023, SeaManGeum and Seoul – The Government of Korea and the Korea Scout Association hosted the 25^th World Scout Jamboree (WSJ), with this years’ theme “Draw Your Dream” from 01 to 12 August, 2023 in SaeManGeum, Jeollabuk province.

Considered the world’s largest youth camp, the participants, mainly scouts aged from 14 to 18 years from around the world meet every four (4) years. The WSJ gathered about 43,000 participants from the member countries of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), representing 158 countries worldwide.

The Philippine contingent led by BSP National President and Head of Contingent of the PH Delegation Rep. Dale B. Corvera from the 2^nd District of Agusan Del Norte, sent four-hundred and one (401), delegates to participate in the 25^th World Scout Jamboree “2023 SaeManGeum”.

The Philippine contingent was composed of two-hundred and sixty-five (265) Scouts, one-hundred and thirteen (113) members of the International Service Team, nineteen (19) members of the Contingent Management Team and four (4) members of the Jamboree Planning Team.

On 02 August 2023, Ambassador Dizon- De Vega met and welcomed BSP National President and Head of Contingent Rep. Dale B. Corvera and his Delegation at the SaeManGeum campsite. Joining Rep. Corvera at the 25^th Jamboree were BSP National President and Former Vice President Honorable Jejomar C. Binay, Deputy Contingent Head Delegation and Senior Vice President of the BSPand SEC Chair Emilio B. Aquino, and former DBM Secretary Wendel E. Avisado, a Member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), Asia Pacific Regional Scout Committee (APR RSC).

Also in attendance, were Honorable Members from the House of Representatives, Jose Alba, Peter Miguel, Jonathan Flores, Alfel Bascug, and Laarni Roque and DOTr Undersecretary Kim De Leon, in their respective capacities as officers of the BSP. Scout representatives from Quezon City, Metro Manila, Bacolod City, Cabanatuan City, Tuguegarao City, and Cagayan province participated in the WSJ. 

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega assured Rep. Corvera of the Embassy’s full support to the PH contingent for the duration of the WSJ. She also welcomed the young PH delegates to Korea, most of them attending the WSJ for the first time.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise attended the Welcome Reception for the Heads of the Diplomatic Missions and other distinguished guests followed by the Opening Ceremony with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee as Guests of Honor. President Yoon delivered the welcome address, calling on all government bodies to ensure public safety throughout the 12-day event with a thorough inspection of facilities and execution of health and safety measures.

The jamboree was officially opened by Mr. Lee Hang-bok, Chief Commissioner of the 25^th WSJ, he said ‘from my young scouting years and becoming now your Camp Chief in this 25^th WSJ, I never stopped dreaming not only for myself but for the young people whom I praise to be of service through Scouting, aiming to have a peaceful and better world”.

U.N Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ in his video message, said, “This gathering brings together scouts from every corner of the world. And it arrives at a turbulent moment marked by conflicts, climate change, hunger, poverty, division and inequality. Today, more than ever, we need the timeless values that scouts embody. Responsibility. Diversity and inclusivity. Local and global citizenship”.

Other officials present were, the Governor of Jeollabuk-do and Organizing Committee Executive Chairman of the 25^th WSJ Mr. Kim Kwan-yung, Honorary Chairman of the 25^th WSJ Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, ROK Gender and Equality Minister Kim Hyun-sook, and worldwide TV host and survivalist Bear Grylls, Chief Ambassador of World Scouting who delivered an inspirational message, he said, ”you are 50,000 strong tonight but remember we are part of a global family that is 57 million strong,” he added, “we are united by a movement, we are united by our shared promise, it is a promise that says we will make this world a better place”.

Outdoor activities (rock climbing, trekking, etc.), water activities (kayaking, swimming, beach sports, etc.), and indoor events (cultural shows, etc.), were held during the first week of the WSJ. In spite of the heatwave alert, the PH scouts adapted well in the face of the challenges and participated actively in the activities.

On 9 August 2023, in view of the approach of Typhoon Khanun and to ensure the safety and well-being of the scouts, the entire 40,000 plus delegates were relocated from the campsite to different locations closer to metropolitan Seoul. The PH Contingent with the swift action of the Gyeonggi Provincial Government and the Yong-in Special City Government were relocated to the Daewoong Management Development Institute (DMDI), Kyunghee University Dormitory, and the Kyonggi University Dormitory.

On 10 August 2023, the PH Contingent hosted a Philippine Cultural Night featuring performances by the Filipino scouts.

In addition, the Philippine Embassy in cooperation with MLD Entertainment Co., Ltd. organized for the Philippine Contingent a mini-concert featuring the P-Pop boy band HORI7ON and boy band TFN composed of Korean & Japanese artists. HORI7ON has been in Korea the past two months performing in concerts across Korea and guesting on Korean TV variety shows. 

The Philippine contingent ended its Jamboree participation on a high note by attending the Closing Ceremony and K-pop Concert at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. END

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR RENEWS CALLS FOR FAIR EMPLOYMENT AND SAFE MIGRATION UNDER THE EPS

14 August 2023, Seoul – Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega took part in the 2023 Employment Permit System (EPS) Conference held from 09-11 August 2023 in Busan, South Korea.  

The meeting, organized by Korea’s Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) and the Human Resource Development Service Korea (HRDK) aims to facilitate further cooperation and knowledge sharing among the EPS sending countries. ROK Minister Lee Jung Sik conveyed the policy directions of the MOEL and pledged to take measures to protect the human rights and continuously improve workplace safety for migrant workers.

In her country statement, Ambassador de Vega called for fair employment and safe migration for all in line with the international commitments of the Philippines and the UN Global Compact for Migration. She advanced specific policy recommendations that would address issues being faced by EPS workers concerning workplace transfers, safety and health, repatriation, contract cancellation, and job roster selection system. “As we prepare for the 75th year of Philippines - Korea diplomatic relations and the 20th year of the Philippine-Korea MOU on EPS next year, the Philippines takes cognizance of the important role that the EPS has played in fostering cooperation on human resource development, productivity, and migrant workers protection between our countries. We remain highly committed to the improvement of the EPS for greater protection and welfare of our workers”, the Ambassador said.

The conference featured presentation by experts regarding the plans to reorganize the EPS and its future directions in the context of its achievements in the past twenty years, the demographic challenges in Korea, international labor commitments, and pressing issues faced by the industry. Among others, the EPS plans to expand the number of industries where E9 workers will be employed, and increase support for the development of workers’ language and vocational skills in order to warrant longer term employment.

Ambassador de Vega joined the HRDK Acting President, Young Joong Kim onstage during the launching of the HRDK’s new slogan, “Incorruptible EPS”, as well as the awarding of the EPS Excellence Awards wherein Mr. Jhumar Tablatin, Filipino EPS worker, was named the 2nd prize winner for the Worker category.

Labor Attaches of the EPS sending countries, including Ma. Celeste M. Valderrama of the Philippine Migrant Workers Office were also present during the EPS Conference.

The Philippines was the first government to sign the Memorandum of Understanding on EPS with Korea, and also sent the very first group of EPS workers to Korea in 2004. END

AMBASSADOR DIZON-DE VEGA HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF CITY-TO-CITY PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DURING CALL OF CITYNET OFFICIALS

7 August 2023, Seoul - Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea H.E. Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega highlighted the importance of city-to-city partnerships in achieving sustainable development goals and mitigating the impact of climate change during the courtesy call of CityNet CEO Kim JeongKee and CityNet Officials at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 7 August 2023. Both sides discussed ways to strengthen partnerships between cities in the Republic of the Philippines and CityNet in Korea. 

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega stated that international partnerships continue to be effective in helping cities address urban challenges and further sustainable urban development in the Asia-Pacific region. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega likewise underscored the importance of fortifying and strengthening city partnerships, and reinforcing existing CityNet partnerships in the Philippines. 

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega recommended that the organization look into potential partnerships in the Visayas and Mindanao for future partner cities to strengthen its linkages in the Philippines. The CityNet Secretariat conveyed the organization’s interest in partnering with more cities and municipalities in Visayas and Mindanao, especially those that remain vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters, emphasizing that CityNet is keenly interested in working with Philippine cities to combat climate change and promote sustainable urban development.

The organization emphasized its dedication to supporting member cities in addressing urban challenges given their experience in connecting cities for knowledge exchange and capacity-building projects across the Asia-Pacific region. With the support and engagement of its members, CityNet creates programs and platforms that help increase connections and build capacity across member cities in the Asia-Pacific. 

CityNet CEO Kim Jeongkee was joined by CityNet Deputy Director Jaime Paulo Morra, a Filipino, and Ms. Lee Yejin. The Ambassador was also joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario.

CityNet supports numerous Philippine cities, including Makati, Iloilo, and Muntinlupa which are members of the organization’s 2023-2026 Executive Committee. CityNet continuously partners with PH cities for the exchange of best practices in urban sustainability, sustainable tourism, and other capacity-building projects. END