The Official Website of the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, Korea

PHILIPPINE EMBASSY COMMEMORATES THE 162ND BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF JOSE RIZAL WITH THE NEWLY-CHARTERED KNIGHTS OF RIZAL – KOREA CHAPTER

(Top) Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon – De Vega delivers her inspirational message and Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor M. Israel giving his opening remarks during the commemoration of the 162^nd Birth Anniversary of Rizal and Wreath -Laying ceremony held at the Sentro Rizal, Philippine Embassy, Seoul. (Below) Ambassador Dizon – De Vega is flanked by the pioneering members of the Knights of Rizal – Korea Chapter. (Photos courtesy of KOR Seoul Chapter).

20 June 2023, Seoul. On the occasion of the 162nd birth anniversary Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega delivered an inspirational message drawing upon the wealth of the national hero’s legacy that captured the imagination of Filipinos from across the social spectrum leading to the Philippine nationhood and independence in the late 19^th century. His short but fruitful life continues to attract admiration and interest from experts, scholars and students of history even as it offers much enlightenment to patriotic and freedom-loving individuals around the world.

Addressing the newly chartered Knights of Rizal – Korea Chapter, she expressed hopes for their ranks to grow and to include Koreans and other foreign nationals who may have encountered Rizal in their studies or travels in the Philippines and have been struck by his courage, intellect, and heroism.

The Knights of Rizal – Korea Chapter was officially established during the chartering and knighthood ceremonies conducted by the Manila-based KOR Supreme Commander Gerardo Calderon, KGCR, and Deputy Supreme Commander Raymundo Del Rosario, KGOR, on 28 April 2023 where 11 postulants were sworn in to help propagate Rizalian chivalry and ideals and deepen their understanding of Rizal’s teachings and his relevance to the advancement of Filipinos in Korea.

KOR-Korea Chapter Commander Romulo Victor Israel Jr., Consul General, gave his welcome remarks and, together with Ambassador Dizon-De Vega, led his fellow Knights in making a solemn floral offering to Rizal, while Chapter Chancellor and MWO Assistant Apolonio Alvarez Jr. served as emcee.

A fellowship breakfast sponsored by the KOR-Korea Chapter and viewing of “Jose Rizal: Sa Landas ng Paglaya,” a film commissioned by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines followed the commemorative program. END

(Top) Amb. Dizon-De Vega is joined by members of the Knights of Rizal - Korea Chapter and personnel of the Philippine Embassy and its Partner Agencies after the wreath-laying ceremony. (Below L-R) Sir Manolito Barotilla, KR; Sir Jake Velasco, KR; Sir Apolonio Alvarez Jr., KR; Sir Alex Gacrama, KR; Sir Anthony Rafael Gil Cornista, KR; Sir Romulo Victor Israel, KCR; Sir Jose Ma. Dinsay, KR; Sir Geoffrey Adiong, KR; Sir Ernest Joseph Diga, KR; and Sir Denni Carlo Marnilego, KR. The founding members of the Knights of Rizal – Korea Chapter with fraternal gesture signifying “Non Omnis Moriar”, not in photo is Sir Joeffrey Calimag, KR. (Photos courtesy of KOR Seoul Chapter).

AMBASSADOR DIZON-DE VEGA ASSURES CONTINUED COOPERATION WITH WORLD SMART SUSTAINABLE CITIES ORGANIZATION

[In photo] H.E. Theresa Dizon-De Vega with World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) Secretary General Jung Sook Park and members of the secretariat, Head of Program Development Eunbyul Elena Cho and Program Officer Charlene Angela Sardoma at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 19 June 2023

19 June 2023, Seoul. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega met with World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) Secretary General Jung Sook Park and members of the secretariat, Head of Program Development Eunbyul Elena Cho, and Program Officer Charlene Angela Sardoma on 19 June 2023 to discuss future cooperation between the Philippines and WeGo as an organization.

Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario and Commercial Counselor Jose Ma. Dinsay of the Embassy’s economic team likewise joined the meeting.

WeGo is a membership-based international association of local governments, smart tech solution providers, and institutions committed to the transformation of cities into smart sustainable cities through facilitating public-private partnerships (PPP).

Several Philippine metropolitan smart cities are active members of WeGo and consistent participants in its capacity-building and training initiatives. Makati City, Quezon City, Baguio City, and San Fernando, La Union are some of the active local government units in the Philippines that work with the organization to achieve their smart city platform goals. During the call, Secretary General Jung expressed appreciation for the Embassy’s support in disseminating information on WeGo projects and activities, including people-to-people exchanges, training, and large-scale meetings to discuss smart city projects.

Ambassador Dizon-De Vega also assured the organization of the Philippines’ continued support for WeGo’s programs, highlighting that incentives such as the Seoul Smart City Prize promotes inclusivity and helps usher developing localities to development through improved digital and ICT platforms. She likewise welcomed WeGo’s new thrust and focus on climate change, sustainability, and green technology, aside from digital and ICT cooperation.

With its headquarters in the Republic of Korea, Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and Secretary General Jung agreed to work closely together for more active LGU participation in WeGo’s upcoming activities for 2023 and beyond. END

PHILIPPINES EMPHASIZES IMPORTANCE OF SEAFARER TRAINING AND SHIPBUILDING INVESTMENTS FOR GREEN MARITIME SECTOR AT THE 2023 KOREA MARITIME WEEK

Philippine Department of Transportation Undersecretary Elmer Francisco Sarmiento (left, on screen) was the Philippine’s representative to the Ministerial Conference of the 2023 Korea Maritime Week that was held at the Dynasty Hall of the Shilla Hotel Seoul on 14 June 2023. The Philippine delegation (upper and bottom right) also had a productive bilateral meeting with the ROK Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries on 15 June 2023 with (from L to R) MOF International Cooperation Policy Bureau Director General Heo Man-wook, MOF Maritime Industry and Technology Division Director Lee Chang-yong, MOF Vice Minister Song Sang-keun , DOTr Undersecretary Elmer Francisco Sarmiento, Philippine Ambassador Ma. Theresa B. Dizon- De Vega, MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario.

15 June 2023, Seoul - The Philippines participated in the Korea Maritime Week and Ministerial Conference, an annual international event that brings together major stakeholders of the international maritime sector to discuss major current issues and future response strategies.

DoTR Undersecretary Elmer Sarmiento, as head of the Philippine Delegation, participated in the Korea Maritime Week Ministerial Conference where he emphasized the importance of human resource capacity building to address the decarbonization challenges of the international maritime sector.

Highlighting that the Philippines is a major player in the maritime shipping market as one of the world’s biggest crew providers, Undersecretary Sarmiento underscored that human resources should be included in the maritime sector’s decarbonization plans through the upskilling and capacity building of seafarers in operating new technology and green ships. He likewise informed the meeting that the Philippines will need the assistance of the international community in helping the Philippines expand its green fleet and contribute to the overall decarbonization goals of the international shipping sector.

At the PH-ROK bilateral meeting with ROK Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Vice Minister Song Sang Keun, the Philippines reiterated the importance of a whole-of-community approach in helping developing countries transition to green shipping through various means including government subsidies and green financing for eco-friendly vessels, as well as training for workers in the maritime sector. The Philippines also expressed hope that more shipbuilding companies will bring their business to the Philippines, as the country remains an investment-friendly destination with highly-skilled workers.

Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega likewise expressed her appreciation for the continued support of the ROK Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries in the Post’s flagship programs, including the annual PH-ROK Maritime Cooperation Dialogue. “Maritime cooperation is now one of the most active areas of engagement between countries, and this was most recently manifested in the swift assistance and donation of the ROK Government of the oil spill cleaning technology to help address the March 2023 Mindoro oil spill,” the Ambassador said.

An international maritime sector expert, MOF Vice Minister Song lauded the active and very substantive participation of the Philippines in the IMO. The delegation also had a productive exchange with IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim at the sidelines of the conference.

MARINA Deputy Administrator Sonia Malaluan, and Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario were likewise part of the Philippine delegation to the conference. END

Korea Maritime Week in photos. Lower left: PH Undersecretary Sarmiento with Amb Theresa Dizon De Vega and IMO Secretary General Kitack-Lim. This year’s KMW Ministerial Conference composed of Heads of Participating delegations including ROK Oceans and Fisheries Minister Cho Seung-hwan, IMO Secretary-General Gi-taek Lim, UK Member of Parliament Chris Grailing, Norwegian Deputy Minister for Trade, Industry and Fisheries Vidar Ulriksen, Asiama Ghana Transport Minister Kakku Ofori, Philippine Department of Transportation Undersecretary Elmer Francisco Sarmiento, and Deputy Ambassador of the British Embassy in ROK Gareth Weir.

PHILIPPINES CONTINUES TO STRENGTHEN MULTILATERAL COOPERATION WITH ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (ADB)

PR MTD 79 2023

Incheon, ROK. The Philippines took part in the 56^th Asian Development Bank Board of Governors Meeting held in Incheon, Korea from 2 to 5 May 2023. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Felipe M. Medalla, as the Alternate Governor for the Philippines to the ADB, headed the Philippine delegation. DBM Secretary Amenah Pangandaman DOF Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven, and other officials from BSP, DOF, and DBM likewise formed part of the Philippine delegation.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega assisted the Philippine delegation in various sessions and side meetings, including a delegation meeting with ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa.

The Philippines is a special partner of the ADB, as it continues to host the ADB headquarters in Mandaluyong City, Philippines and has a broad range of cooperation engagements and projects with the international financial and development institution. END