GOVPH

PHIL EMBASSY CONDUCTS GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR THE 2024 SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR OFWS

19 November 2024, Seoul. A total of 158 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) graduated from the 2024 Livelihood Skills Training for Reintegration Program organized by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The graduation ceremony took place on 10 November 2024 at the Sentro Rizal Hall of the Embassy.

This on-site reintegration program is part of the National Reintegration Program and OWWA's livelihood and entrepreneurship skills development initiative for OFWs. Its goal is to assist Filipinos working in South Korea in effectively planning and preparing for their safe, orderly, and productive reintegration back to the Philippines.

The graduates completed a series of skills training courses offered between March and October 2024, including Basic and Advanced Sewing, Basic Photography, Basic Photo Editing, Basic Baking (Bread, Pastry, and Cake Making and Decorating), Korean Side Dishes Making, and Hair Science. The courses were held regularly on weekends at the Migrant Workers Resource Center.

In her inspirational message, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega underscored that the Skills Training Program, which has been implemented every year for several years now, is part of the ongoing and pro-active empowerment eco-system of the Philippine Embassy for Filipinos who are living and working in South Korea. She commended the volunteer teachers for sharing their expertise, and congratulated the graduates for choosing to spend their weekends learning and acquiring new skills, whether in support of their business plans or personal and social development. To inspire the graduates, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega shared the success stories of former OFWs who have made the successful transition from workers to entrepreneurs. She expressed hope that the skills training would also open doors to new opportunities for the graduates, and re-affirmed the whole-of-government support for the orderly reintegration of the OFWs and their families.

One of the graduates, Mr. Mark Jay B. Reyes, a former EPS worker now holding an E-7 visa, expressed his gratitude to the Embassy, MWO, and OWWA for the continuing conduct of learning activities for the Filipino community. A photography enthusiast who also enjoys cooking, baking, and hair cutting, Mr. Reyes plans to open a food business and bakery upon returning to the Philippines.

To recognize their dedication, ten outstanding trainees were awarded medals for their hard work and commitment to the training. Their achievements will serve as an inspiration to future participants.

Consul General Romulo Victor Israel, Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama and Welfare Officer Cornelia DG. Chanco assisted the Ambassador in conferring the awards and Certificates of Completion to the graduates and resource persons.

The Embassy invites all OFWs and the Filipino community in South Korea to look forward to the opening of the 2025 Livelihood Skills Training Program, which is expected to commence in the first quarter of next year. -END-

PH EMBASSY CONDUCTS POST ARRIVAL ORIENTATION SEMINAR AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO MARRIAGE MIGRANTS IN JEJU

17 November 2024, Jeju. The Philippine Embassy conducted its fourth and final Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) and Mentorship Program for Filipino Marriage Migrants for the year 2024 in Jeju City on 17 November 2024.

The PAOS, which aligns with the Philippine Embassy’s Memorandum of Understanding signed in September 2023 with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas, serves as a platform for equipping marriage migrants with the tools and knowledge necessary to navigate life in South Korea. The seminar adopted a relaxed, open-sharing format, allowing experienced marriage migrants to mentor newly arrived individuals by sharing their experiences on multicultural family dynamics. Key topics included cultural differences, language barriers, and financial literacy, among others.

The program also featured informational discussions by Vice Consul Jill De Dumo-Cornista on consular services and the rights of dual citizens, while Director Kim San Og of the Jeju Counseling Center for Women discussed emergency protocols for domestic violence victims and other local support systems available to women migrants.

In 2025, the Embassy plans to expand its initiatives to better address the needs of Filipino marriage migrants. Proposed activities include training on financial literacy and inheritance matters—topics identified during the seminar’s open forum. Responding to growing demand, the Embassy also aims to conduct the PAOS to other areas of Korea.

The Embassy remains committed to its comprehensive approach to supporting Filipino marriage migrants, which includes ongoing programs like the Know-Your-Rights-and-Responsibilities Seminar Series, Eskwelahan sa Embahada for multicultural children, and family-centered events such as Family Day and Palarong Pinoy.

For updates on future activities and programs, the Embassy invites the Filipino community in South Korea to stay connected through its official communication channels. END

PHILIPPINES SEEKS INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION IN WATER LEGISLATION AT THE 2024 AAWC CLIMATE AND WATER ROUNDTABLE MEETING

15 November 2024, Seoul – The Philippines, led by House of Representatives Members Hon. Romeo S. Momo Sr. and Hon. Jose Chaves Alvarez, highlighted the importance of international cooperation in achieving comprehensive legislation on sustainable water management for the Philippines during the 2024 Asia National Assembly Water Consultative Board (AAWC) Climate and Water Roundtable held on 5 November 2024 at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea.

The AWC is an inter-parliamentary organization of Asian countries for water, focusing on the realization of water welfare and achieving Asia’s common prosperity through parliamentary cooperation. The AAWC has consistently prioritized the development and improvement of water-related policies across Asia, recognizing the critical role that water management plays in sustainable development and regional stability.

During the roundtable discussions, ROK National Assembly Representative and Council Chairman Jeoung-ae Han highlighted AAWC's efforts to advance cooperation in sustainable water resource management with the Philippines through intensive policy research.

Rep. Momo also underscored the importance of region-specific policy research the enhancement of PH-ROK partnerships, especially in infrastructure and water management, and the involvement of local communities in planning and implementing water management strategies as future strategies in water management for the Philippines and the Republic of Korea.

PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega also highlighted that comprehensive and science-based research like the AAWC policy research paper on the Philippines will allow countries to find complementarities and jointly address challenges in national integrated water management initiatives.

After the roundtable, participants also visited the Soyang River Dam, the Hanam Union Park, and the K-Water Han River Basin Head Office to learn more about water resource management and waste treatment best practices of the Republic of Korea. END