GOVPH

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY AND THE FOUNDATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF STEAM DISCUSS EDUCATION COOPERATION

03 December 2023, Seoul. Officials from the Foundation for the Advancement of STEAM (FAS) led by Executive Director Iris Yang and External Affairs Advisor Dongsan Shin called on Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega on 27 November 2023.

Executive Director Yang expressed appreciation to Ambassador Dizon-De Vega for gracing the opening ceremony and delivering remarks at the International Mathematical Science Creativity Competition (IMSCC) held in October 2023 at the Gwacheon National Science Museum, Gyeonggi-do, ROK. She also shared that the foundation was very impressed with the performance of the students from the Philippines who participated in the IMSCC. These students showed huge potential in the field of Mathematics and Science and have innovative ideas. For the succeeding edition of the IMSCC, FAS sought the Embassy’s assistance in inviting more Filipino students and teachers to participate in the competition. They also aim to expand the IMSCC to other regions in the Philippines, which currently is only being held in San Fernando City, Pampanga. FAS likewise expressed willingness to share ideas in the building and design of a national science museum in the Philippines and to collaborate with relevant institutions in the Philippines pioneering STEAM education.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega shared that education is one of the key priority areas of the Philippines under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The participation of Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte in the Global Education Innovation Summit in the Republic of Korea is a highlight of PH-ROK education engagement. She also lauded the foundation for their initiative in integrating creative arts in STEAM. END

PHILIPPINES INKS MOU ON PUBLIC PROCUREMENT COOPERATION WITH THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA

3 December 2023, Seoul – The Philippines, led by Secretary of Budget and Management Amenah F. Pangandaman, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Public Procurement Cooperation with the Republic of Korea on 1 December 2023 in Seoul. The partnership between the Philippines’ Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Republic of Korea Public Procurement Service (PPS) will allow both nations to exchange ideas and explore innovative strategies that will transform the Philippine procurement landscape and improve bureaucratic efficiency.

During the bilateral meeting, Secretary Amenah Pangandaman emphasized that the DBM is committed to push forward budget and procurement initiatives that will utilize digitalization for efficiency and transparency and recognized the Republic of Korea’s leading role in online procurement, making the country an essential international partner for the Philippine government’s procurement modernization plan. She likewise relayed that the DBM is committed to being a champion of innovative, responsive, and sustainable budget and procurement policies and reforms that will enable the Philippine government to steer the country towards inclusive economic development. The DBM Secretary also shared the Philippine Agenda for Prosperity and a future-proof and sustainable economy.

Procurement Service (PS) Executive Director Atty. Dennis S. Santiago also elaborated on the Philippines’ e-procurement programs that help meet global standards in procurement and the capacity-building requirements it needs to help strengthen the system.

The Philippine delegation also visited the Korea Public Procurement Service headquarters in Daejeon, South Korea on 30 November 2023 to learn more about KONEPS, Korea’s online e-procurement system and its daily operations. In Daejeon, the Secretary met with Director General for Fair Procurement Bureau Ms. Moon Kyung-rae, Director for e-Procurement Planning Mr. Han Shin-woo, Cooperation Officer Jihyoung Shin, and other members of the Public Procurement Service (PPS) for a walk-through of their daily operations to support online procurement, real-time monitoring, and evaluation of procurement processes.

The Republic of Korea was led by PPS Administrator Kim Yoonsang, with Director General Kim Eungkeol, and Deputy Director General Im Heoneu as well as other PPS officials. The Philippine delegation also included DBM Undersecretary Wilford Will L. Wong, PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, DBM-PS Director Maria Teresa Semana, and DBM-PS Director Genmaries Entredicho-Caong. END

PHL EMBASSY CONDUCTS FIRST POST ARRIVAL ORIENTATION SEMINAR AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAM FOR FILIPINO MARRIAGE MIGRANTS IN BUSAN AND SEOUL

26 November 2023, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy conducted its first Post Arrival Orientation Seminar (PAOS) and Mentorship Program for Filipino Marriage Migrants in Busan and Seoul, South Korea, on 25 and 26 November 2023, respectively.

Conducted in consonance with the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Embassy and the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) in September 2023, the PAOS is meant to empower and support marriage migrants as they embark on their journey in ROK. The seminar followed an informal and open sharing format that allowed pioneering marriage migrants to become mentors to the newly arrived ones, and share experiences in addressing multicultural family dynamics. Among the issues discussed include challenges in adapting to Korean family culture, language barriers, raising multicultural children, access to services, and immigration-related concerns.

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega said that marriage migrants comprise at least 20% of the Overseas Filipino population in South Korea today. As multiculturalism continues to spread in South Korea, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega said that the Embassy intends to strengthen the linkages among marriage migrants and build a community that could help one another better understand cultural and social norms, as well as legal regulations in South Korea. She also acknowledged the pioneering efforts of earlier Filipino marriage migrants who have tirelessly extended their hand and knowledge to support newcomers to overcome migration barriers effectively.

Serving as mentors are various Filipino community members from the United Fil-Korean Families in Busan represented by Ms. Cherry Baek, United Filipinos in Korea represented by Ms. Mercy Hachero, Seoul Filipino Parents and Children Organization represented by Ms. Venus Avelino, and ROK Presidential Committee on National Cohesion Member and former National Assembly Member Ms. Jazmine Lee. Informational discussions on consular services and rights of dual citizens/marriage migrants on overseas voting were also facilitated by Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel, Jr., while Police Officer Do Young Jo of the Busan Police Agency gave a lecture on emergency protocols for victims of domestic violence.

The Embassy intends to roll-out in 2024 the PAOS and Mentorship Program in Gwangju and other parts of South Korea with high concentrations of marriage migrants. For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. END