GOVPH

PH CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION PARTICIPATES IN INTERNATIONAL LEARNING COURSE ON PUBLIC POLICY AND PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERSHIP

17 October 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega welcomed a delegation from the Philippine Senate and House of Representatives at the 2^nd Floor Sentro Rizal Hall of the Embassy on 30 September 2024. The delegation, composed of senior legislative staff and officers of the Philippine Congress, participated in the International Learning Course on Public Policy and Public Sector Leadership held from 28 September to 05 October 2024 in the Republic of Korea.

During their visit, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario briefed the delegation on Philippines – ROK relations, the way forward for inter-parliamentary and subnational cooperation, and further opportunities for training and development in ROK for legislative staff officers. DAP Director Gilbert E. Lumantao expressed appreciation to the Embassy for its continued support of the DAP CBILLS program.

The course is part of the Capability Building on Innovative Leadership for Legislative Staff (CBILLS) program of the Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) which aims to strengthen the leadership, management, and technical skills of the members of the Philippine Congress, its officers, and staff through capacity-building interventions. It seeks to respond to the evolving training needs of the congressional machinery, enabling it to provide effective support in fulfilling its responsibilities for lawmaking and oversight.

DAP partners with the Korea Development Institute School of Public Policy and Management (KDIS) for the International Learning Course program to enhance the global perspective and understanding on public policy systems, legislation, public sector leadership, as well as innovative governance measures. It also serves as a forum of information exchange where scholars can discuss and share skills and best practices while building and strengthening networks for possible international collaboration. END

PHILIPPINE CITIES RECEIVE AWARDS AT THE 2ND SEOUL SMART CITY PRIZE

14 October 2024, Seoul. Baguio City, Philippines was awarded the Human-CentriCity Gold Award at the 2^nd Seoul Smart City Prize ceremony held on 10 October 2024 at COEX, Seoul. A delegation from Baguio City led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong was present at the ceremony to receive the award from Seoul City Mayor Oh Se-hoon.

Baguio City earned the Human-CentriCity Gold Award for its commitment to digital inclusion, particularly through its Leadership, Empowerment, and Advocacy for Inclusive and Accessible Health Governance System. The city’s healthcare system faces issues like fragmented records, inefficiencies, and care gaps, leading to higher costs and delays. BIAG project addresses these issues by providing accessible health records, telemedicine, and equitable healthcare access. It connects hospitals for seamless care with comprehensive medical records from birth to death. BIAG aims to transform healthcare in Baguio City and beyond, ensuring efficient, inclusive, and high-quality care for all.

Iligan City was also recognized and given the GGGI’s Special Mention award for its outstanding contributions to sustainable urban growth.

The Seoul Smart City Prize was organized by the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) in cooperation with the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) to recognize outstanding smart city initiatives that prioritize human-centric and technological innovation. During the ceremony WeGO acknowledged 21 cities, corporations, institutions, and individuals across several categories for their exceptional contributions to smart urban development.

The Philippine Embassy continues to support WeGO programs by encouraging more active LGU participation in WeGO activities, especially its capacity-building and training initiatives. This is in line with the Embassy’s advocacy for the importance of sub-national diplomacy, particularly domestically-focused and action-oriented initiatives and solutions on climate change, sustainable development, smart city goals, and good governance. END

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY JOINS KDI GKEDC COMMUNITY NETWORKING EVENT

13 October 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul participated in the Korea Development Institute – Global Knowledge Exchange and Development Center (KDI-GKEDC) Community Networking Event on 08 October 2024 held at the Education Building of the GKEDC in Seoul, ROK. Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr. represented the Philippines during the event.

As the GKEDC is an open space for learning and exchanging knowledge on Korea's economic development experience, participants were provided with a guided special exhibition tour featuring key milestones of the ROK’s economic development, future innovation, industrial development, and humanities.

Mr. Sangmin Lee, CEO and Founder of NEUBILITY, a Korean autonomous robotics startup focused on delivery, security, and logistics, gave a brief presentation. Neubility recently signed an agreement with Gyeonggi province to run 10 Neubie delivery robots.

Mr. Dong Soo Kang, Executive Director of the KDI GKEDC said that this is the first time the center has organized an event with ASEAN Embassies with a view to fostering relationships, facilitating knowledge and experience sharing on development issues. END