GOVPH

PHILIPPINES AGRI-FISHERIES AND EXPORT PRODUCTS AT SEOUL FOOD EXPO 2022 AND ASEAN TRADE FAIR

09 JUNE 2022, SEOUL – The Philippines participated in two major commercial exhibitions, Seoul Food Expo 2022 and the ASEAN Trade Fair held from 07 to 10 June 2022 at KINTEX, Ilsan, Republic of Korea. Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega graced the opening ceremony of both events and visited the Philippine pavilions. 

Seoul Food Expo is Asia’s 4^th largest food industry exhibition now on its 40^th year. Philippines participation in the expo was spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture through the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul with 20 Philippine companies showcasing agri-fishery export products like fresh Cavendish and Cardava banana, pineapple, papaya and mangoes, VCO and coconut-based products, frozen tropical fruits, and okra. Also on display are dried mangoes, banana chips, taro snacks, and fruit-flavored spirits and items. The fishery sector was represented by Philippine exporters of frozen and processed milkfish, as well as frozen and processed shrimp products. PhilFoodEx representing the private sector likewise participated in the Expo led by President Ruben See of See’s International Food Mfg Inc. Participating on-site aside from See’s Intl were Avante, Fisher Farms, Inc., Oleo-Fats, Inc., Pasciolco Agri Ventures, and Bahaghari Global Food, Inc.

Other companies with displays included Jel Farm Fresh Produce Enterprise, Hi-Las Marketing Corporation, Eng Seng Food Products, Martsons Food Corp. Peter Paul / Wellness Care Int’l Corp. (VCO & coconut products), Yamangbukid, C. O. P. Pili sweets and pastries (pili nut Destileria Limtuaco, Sangkutsa Food Products Inc., SAMANCE Agro Products, Inc., Fruits of Life, Inc., Good Sense Food and Juices Corp., Seabest Food Corp., Shelfmates, Cocoplus Aquarian Dev’t.Corp., Lion Heart Farms Phils. Corp.,Rosario’s Delicacies, and Limketkai Mfg. Corp.

Korea is the 4th largest destination of Philippine agri-food exports, with USD526.83 million total agri-fisheries exports value in 2021. Despite the pandemic, the Philippines recorded a 20% increase in agri-fisheries exports from 2020 to 2021, generating a USD228.39 million trade surplus over Korea.

The Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Seoul also organized the Philippine booth displaying new products from Oh So Healthy chips, Malagos chololate, Magic Melt Otap, Doña Maria Brown Rice puffs and B&C Mango chews at the ASEAN Trade Fair. The fair was organized by the ASEAN Korea Centre (AKC) in cooperation with the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS) to promote market access of ASEAN products to ROK. This is in line with ASEAN’s goal towards equitable economic development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which serves as a significant driving force behind the ASEAN economy. END

PHILIPPINES AND KOREA SIGNS MOU ON VETERANS AFFAIRS COOPERATION

SEOUL, 05 June 2022 — Philippines National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana and ROK Patriot and Veterans Affairs Minister Park Minshik sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Veterans Affairs Cooperation, during Secretary Lorenzana’s Official Visit to Seoul, at the Westin Josun Seoul Hotel on 03 June 2022.

The Philippines-Korea MOU will strengthen support for each countries’ Korean War veterans and exchanges among the veterans’ descendants. Also present during the signing ceremony was Philippine Ambassador Theresa Dizon De-Vega, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Administrator Undersecretary Ernesto G. Carolina, and Ms. Young Erlinda Mae, the daughter of the late Maj. Maximo Young (ret), president of the Philippine War Veterans Association, officials from the Ministry of Patriot and Veterans Affairs, and descendants of Korean War veterans.

The MOU contributes meaningfully to the realization of the shared objectives of PH and ROK in expanding international projects honoring the sacrifices and dedications of veterans, including the 7,420 Philippine Expeditionary Force to Korea (PEFTOK) troops the Philippines sent in support of South Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War. It is the third-largest force contribution after the United States and Britain to the war. The Republic of Korea, has continuously manifested support for the Philippine government’s endeavors concerning PEFTOK veterans through the years and most recently various donations during the COVID-19 pandemic for elderly Filipino Korean War veterans and their families.

Both Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening veterans affairs cooperation through the establishment of a consultative body as well as participation in veterans affairs activities organized by both countries. END

PHILIPPINES AND KOREA HOLD DEFENSE MINISTERIAL MEETING

SEOUL, 05 June 2022 — Philippine National Defense Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana held a bilateral meeting with his counterpart, ROK Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-sup, during his Official visit to the Republic of Korea at the ROK Ministry of National Defense on 03 June 2022.

The two Ministers exchanged views on Philippines-ROK bilateral defense cooperation as well as the situation in the South China Sea (SCS) and Korean Peninsula. Secretary Lorenzana also expressed the Philippines’ support for the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the DPRK.

On bilateral defense relations, the Ministers acknowledged the close ties between the Philippines and ROK defense and military establishments, particularly in the area of defense industry and logistics cooperation to which Minister Lee emphasized that ROK will continuously support the AFP capability-upgrade program. Secretary Lorenzana noted the bilateral defense relations between the Philippines and ROK have continued to flourish, and despite the COVID-19 pandemic, both countries have established dialogue platforms at the defense and major defense service-levels.

ROK also committed to strengthening communication through active regular military exchanges, and looked forward to the Republic of Korea Marine Corps' first participation in the Philippines-led annual KAMANDAG exercise to kick off in October 2022.Both countries will have a presence at the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) this month.

Minister Lee expressed hope for continuous and expanded bilateral relations. Secretary Lorenzana again reaffirmed the DND and AFP's appreciation for ROK's support of defense modernization program and proposed that personnel exchanges should likewise be sustained. END