GOVPH

PHL EMBASSY ROLLS OUT FIRST REINTEGRATION SEMINAR FOR FILIPINOS IN SOUTH KOREA FOR 2024

19 February 2024, Seoul – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul together with the team of Promoting Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness to Overseas Filipinos in Korea (or PEAK-Pinoy) held its first reintegration preparedness seminar for the year entitled “Usapang PangKinabukasan feat: Pag-IBIG Fund and OFBank” on 29 January 2024 via online.

The seminar discussed financial literacy topics that are essential to reintegration preparedness as well as promotion of welfare of overseas Filipinos in South Korea.

In her opening message, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega cited the importance of PEAK Pinoy as a vehicle for economic empowerment of Filipinos in South Korea. “During the Philippines’ recent participation in the Global Forum on Migration and Development or GFMD in Geneva, we highlighted the recurring message that migrants are important drivers of innovation, growth, and dynamism in both receiving and origin countries, and that governments have important role to play by arming them with timely and relevant information through the various stages of migration” the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador also expressed appreciation for the enduring partnership with Filipino community organizations, namely Pinoy Investors in Korea (PINK) and the Kapit Bisig Organization of Daegu (KBO) which has enabled the Embassy to reach out and expand its advocacy on reintegration preparedness among many more kababayans in South Korea.

During the seminar, Pag-Ibig Member Services Officer James Lumantas discussed the home savings, loan and MP2 program of Pag-Ibig Fund, while Overseas Remittance Officer Leover A. Loyola introduced the Overseas Filipino Bank programs and its digital banking services for Filipinos who are living and working overseas. Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce D. Cornista presented the ways to prevent and deal with the financial scams which are equally important dimensions to financial literacy and security of overseas Filipinos. Welfare Officer Cornelia DG Chanco urged the participants to be active OWWA members and avail of its various programs for OFWs and their families. Labor Attache Ma. Celeste Valderrama and Commercial Counselor Jose Maria Dinsay co-moderated the seminar.

PEAK-Pinoy is the Embassy’s flagship project in support of the Philippine National Reintegration Program, which is jointly implemented by the PTIC, Migrant Workers Office (MWO) – OWWA, Philippine Agriculture Office (PAO), Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT), and Pag-IBIG Fund.

This PEAK Pinoy seminar is the 15^th activity held since the project was launched in March 2021. Overseas Filipinos in South Korea are invited to join the next PEAK Pinoy webinar scheduled in May 2024. -END-

KOREAN LANGUAGE VERSION OF ASEAN CENTRALITY: AN AUTOETHNOGRAPHIC ACCOUNT BY A PHILIPPINE DIPLOMAT NOW AVAILABLE

2 February 2024 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul is pleased to announce the publication and translation of the book entitled ASEAN Centrality: An Autoethnographic Account by a Philippine Diplomat written by H.E. Elizabeth Buensuceso, currently Eminent Person to the High-Level Task Force of the ASEAN Post-2025 Vision and Foreign Affairs Adviser of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, into the Korean language by the ASEAN-Korea Centre.

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega witnessed the turnover of the book between ASEAN Secretary General Kim Haeyoung and author Ambassador Elizabeth P. Buensuceso on 2 February 2024 in Manila, Philippines.

“With the Korean translation of the book, we hope more Korean readers can better understand the significant contributions of ASEAN to international relations and the importance of engaging ASEAN nations, including the Philippines, to attain shared goals of regional peace and stability in the years to come,” the Ambassador said. 

The translation project contributes to a better understanding of ASEAN Centrality and promotes the development of ASEAN-Republic of Korea relations by giving the general reader deeper insights into ASEAN as a regional organization and the dynamics of the Indo-Pacific region. The translated book also offers Korean readers an opportunity to fully appreciate how ASEAN as an organization has contributed to regional peace and stability over the decades.

The book provides the importance of engaging the region with ASEAN Centrality at its core and shares the necessary skills and wisdom on the principles, mechanisms, processes, and issues in ASEAN from the point of view of one of the Philippines’ most reputable diplomats. 

The Korean language edition is one of the projects of the ASEAN Korea Centre to commemorate the 35th year of the ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Partnership.

For Korean readers, the ASEAN Centrality: An Autoethnographic Account by a Philippine Diplomat is available for purchase both in digital and paperback formats in bookstores across the country. END

For Korean readers:

아세안 중심성(ASEAN Centrality): 필리핀 외교관 엘리자베스 부엔수세소(Elizabeth Buensuceso) 대사의 책이 한아세안센터 한국어 번역을 거쳐 광화문 교보문고에서 선보이고 있다. 대한민국 내 서점에서 인쇄본과 e-북 형태로 만나볼 수 있다.

PH Embassy Supports Launch of Korean Version of “Doing Business in the Philippines”

29 January 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul represented by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega took part in the launch on 16 January 2024 of the latest version in the Korean language of “Doing Business in the Philippines” published by Sycip, Gorres, Velayo and Company.

The Doing Business in the Philippines series of SGV and Co, the leading professional services firm in the Philippines, presents an overview of the Philippine economy, updates on business, industry, labor, tax, and related laws and regulations which are useful for investors. The publication likewise includes updates on trends in various sectors and is available in different languages. The series has branched out since its inception to include Philippine area specific doing business updates.

The Korean language version geared towards the important and robust Korean market includes updates on laws and regulations providing essential information and clarification on the Philippine business and investment ecosystem.

SGV Chairman and CEO Wilson P. Tan in his opening remarks expressed the hope that the new publication will be of assistance to Korean investors already operating in the Philippines and encourage potential investors to set up shop in the country.

Ambassador Dizon-de Vega welcomed the launch of the latest Korean language edition noting that it comes at an opportune time as the Philippines and Korea mark 75 years of diplomatic relations on March 3, 2024. She shared that the prospects for greater economic engagement are expected with the recent signing of the Philippines-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Former Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs and currently SGV Senior Adviser Ambassador Delia Domingo-Albert spoke about the close ties between the Philippines and Korea and the potential to bring the relationship to greater heights through increased business partnerships.

Also present at the launch were Special Envoy for Digitalization for Korea Dennis Anthony Uy, Philippines-Korea Economic Council (PHILKOREC) President Robert Laurel Yupangco, Korean Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (KCCP) President Hyun Chong (Joseph) Um, and representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Philippines and the Department of Foreign Affairs. END