GOVPH

PHILIPPINE AND KOREAN COAST GUARDS UPHOLD MARITIME COOPERATION THROUGH JOINT EXERCISES

Manila, Philippines - The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is pleased to share the press release from the Philippine Coast Guard on maritime cooperation exercises between the PCG and the Korean Coast Guard from 17-21 June 2024:

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) rendered a send-off ceremony to the Korean Coast Guard Academy (KCGA) Training Vessel 3011 HAM "Badaro" at Port Area Manila on 21 June 2024.

The KCG 3011 "Badaro" is a training vessel boarding 44 cadets, 39 Training Ship Officers and 20 KCGA officers. Said vessel is under the helm of Superintendent Park Jeong-rok.

After the arrival ceremony for the KCGA last 17 June 2024, the KCGA officers together with the officials from Korean Embassy rendered a courtesy call to the PCG, Commandant, Coast Guard Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan.

As capacity building measures of the two agencies, the goodwill visit conducted an academic subject matter expert exchange with regard to Marine Pollution, Maritime Drug and Smuggling. The activity was participated by the KCG staff and cadets and PCG's representatives from Maritime Security Law Enforcement Command , Marine Environmental Protection Command, Coast Guard Education, Training and Doctrine Command, Coast Guard Special Operations Force, Coast Guard Fleet, and the Office of Deputy Chief of Coast Guard Staff for Maritime Security Law Enforcement, CG-14.

Aside from the Academic exchange, a visit to the PCG's facilities such as National Maritime Center and one of the PCG's newest and biggest vessel, BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702) was carried out last 17 June 2024.

Apart from that, the Joint Training Exercises were also conducted to strengthen the cooperation between the two maritime organizations.

Additionally, a Friendly Exchange Activities were also undertaken wherein KCGA cadets and PCG personnel showed their sportsmanship in playing Basketball, Badminton, and Tug of War. Further, the KCG spearheaded a vessel tour for the PCG personnel.

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COMELEC WITH PHL EMBASSY CONDUCT ONLINE VOTING TRAINING FOR OVERSEAS FILIPINOS IN SOUTH KOREA

Busan, South Korea – The Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) with the Philippine Embassy in Korea conducted a training session on the Online Voting and Canvassing System (OVCS) for Filipino Community leaders in Busan on 8 June 2024. This initiative is part of COMELEC’s broader strategy to increase voter turnout and facilitate easier voting access for Filipinos living abroad.

Attended by 75 Filipino community leaders from 44 Filipino community organizations in South Korea, the training session focused on the general policies and technical aspects of the new online voting system, set to be implemented for the upcoming Overseas Voting in 2025.

COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin M. Garcia emphasized the necessity of this initiative, noting that despite the highest recorded turnout in history during the 2022 elections, only 40.59% of the 1.697 million registered overseas voters participated. Chairperson Garcia stressed that the new system aims to address the logistical challenges and enhance voter experience among the increasing numbers of Overseas Filipinos, especially in South Korea.

In her opening remarks, Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega thanked the Filipino Community for participating in the training session and encouraged the organizations to encourage more Filipinos to register for the forthcoming electoral exercises, emphasizing the critical role that the diaspora plays in nation-building.

Resource persons included COMELEC Commissioner Marlon S. Casquejo who gave an overview of the authentication guidelines and timelines involved in the online voting process, while Director Eden C. Bolo provided technical information on how a registered Overseas Voter may avail of the online voting process. The COMELEC officials appreciated the Filipino Community leaders’ active participation and voicing out of their concerns and constructive suggestions based on their own experience and knowledge of Internet-based transactions and the situation of many of their members in Korea.

COMELEC Commissioners Aimee P. Ferolino and Nelson Celis, Directors Ester Villaflor-Roxas, Michelle Frances Paredes, Celia Romero and John Rex C. Laudiangco, as well as DFA-OVS Vice Chair Robert D. Quintin likewise participated to support the OVCS training and outreach to the Filipino Community.

The training session in Busan is part of a global information campaign that COMELEC has scheduled in various countries to educate and prepare Overseas Voters for online voting and receive feedback and suggestions from Filipino Communities abroad. The training session in Busan may be viewed through the COMELEC’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/100064675240177/videos/828315262530347.

The Philippine Embassy continues to partner and work actively with Filipino Community Organizations in promoting Overseas Voter registration for all qualified Filipinos in South Korea to avail of the new online voting system during the 30-day voting period from 13 April 2025 to 12 May 2025. Overseas Filipinos who are at least 18 years of age on the day of the elections (12 May 2025), and not otherwise disqualified by law, may register as Overseas Voters in order to exercise their sacred right of suffrage and continue to contribute to nation-building. END

ALAS PILIPINAS HOLDS EXHIBITION GAME IN DAEGU, JOINS PISTANG PINOY SA KOREA 2024

09 June 2024, Seoul. The Philippine National Women’s Volleyball Team, ALAS PILIPINAS, recently engaged in a thrilling exhibition match with the local powerhouse team, Powerful Daegu, during their visit to Daegu on 08 June 2024 at the Chimsandong Gym. Daegu, South Korea. This event is one of the activities commemorating 75 years of Philippine-Korea Diplomatic Relations organized by the Philippine Embassy in Seoul.

Realized with the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) and its events partner NeoColors Production with the support of the Daegu Metropolitan City Sports Council and the Daegu Metropolitan Government, the friendly match showcased both teams’ high level of skill and competitive yet friendly spirit.  The match attracted a large crowd, including members of the Overseas Filipino community in South Korea and local volleyball enthusiasts.

Alas Pilipinas, known for their dynamic playstyle and strategic prowess, put up a strong fight against Powerful Daegu, a team renowned for their robust defense and powerful spikes. The Alas Pilipinas recently won bronze in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, a historic win after a 63-year medal wait.

Following the match, the Alas Pilipinas team joined the Overseas Filipino community in Busan for the Pistang Pinoy sa South Korea 2024, an activity celebrating the 126th Philippine Independence Day, 29th National Migrant Workers’ Day, and 75 years of Philippines-Korea relations. The event featured the participation of Alas Pilipinas in a parade of traditional Filipino costumes and dances by the Overseas Filipino Community in South Korea.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega said that the vibrant atmosphere underscored the shared love of sports and cultural exchange between the Philippines and South Korea. She awarded a Plaque of Appreciation to the Alas Pilipinas, received by Team Captain Jia Morado-De Guzman and PNVF President Ramon Suzara, in recognition of their invaluable contribution in promoting Filipino athleticism, and strengthening the bilateral relations of the Philippines and South Korea in the field of sports. For more information on the Alas Pilipinas, please visit the PNVF website at https://volleyballphilippines.com/. END