GOVPH

PHILIPPINES AND UNITED KINGDOM DISCUSS ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION AT THE XV WORLD FORESTRY CONGRESS HELD IN SEOUL

Left: Philippine Ambassador to Korea Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, PH head of delegation Assistant Secretary Marcial Amaro Jr. of the DENR, and UK Minister for the Pacific and Environment Lord Zac Goldsmith during the PH-UK bilateral meeting at the sidelines of the World Forestry Congress; Right: Ambassador Dizon-De Vega and the Philippine delegation during the opening ceremony. (Photo courtesy of DENR)

15 May 2022 – The Philippines participated in the 15^th World Forestry Congress (WFC) held in COEX, Seoul, Korea from 2-6 May 2022 to address the most urgent issues facing worldwide forests.

Members of the Philippine delegation, headed by Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Assistant Secretary Marcial Amaro Jr., and Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Ma. Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega also had a bilateral meeting with UK Minister for Pacific and the Environment Lord Zac Goldsmith on 6 May 2022.

Both sides had a productive discussion on forestry, with the UK delegation expressing their interest to work closely with the Philippines in forestry management. The Philippine delegation was also pleased to share the PH experience in protecting vulnerable coastal areas through mangrove reforestation.

The UK also actively sought the Philippines’ ideas for collaboration. Among the DENR’s priorities include assistance in the Forestry Sector in the Mitigation Aspect of the Philippines' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) through effective land use and land use change monitoring, collaboration on the proper delineation and management of production forests, protection forests, and national parks, in support of the 30x30 Agenda of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and sustainable forest management.

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PH EMBASSY IN KOREA FIRST TO TRANSMIT OVERSEAS ELECTION RETURNS TO COMELEC IN THE 2022 NATIONAL ELECTIONS

14 May 2022 - The Embassy of the Philippines in Korea reported that 2,945 Filipino voters, or forty-eight percent (48%) out of the 6,123 voters registered in the Republic of Korea, participated in the 2022 National Elections. The number of voters in Korea was above the average percentage recorded for the Asia-Pacific Region.

Of the total voters this year, 2,828 exercised their right to suffrage by personal voting at the Embassy premises in Seoul while 128 voted through field voting missions in Busan and Daegu on April 15 to 16 and April 29 to 30, respectively. 

The Embassy was open for Overseas Absentee Voting for thirty (30) straight days from 10 April 2022 until 8:00 PM on 9 May 2022, Korea Standard Time. Counting of election returns, canvassing of votes, and transmission to the Philippines via the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) server lasted until 1:20 am of the following day in the presence of accredited media, poll watchers, and observers. 

The election-related operations of post were undertaken by the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI) headed by Consul General Romulo Victor Israel, the Special Board of Canvassers (SBOC) led by Chair Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, and the Special Ballot Reception and Custody Group (SBRCG) headed by Ms. Anna Gabriella Estimada-Guinto.

The Embassy is pleased to note that Seoul PE ranked as second-fastest voting center for transmittal overall (including local transmissions) to the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), and the first to successfully transmit election returns via the Automated Election System (AES) as an Overseas Voting post. 

The original copies of official documents related to counting and canvassing were personally delivered to the NBOC by SBOC Chair Olavario on 13 May 2022. 

Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega commended the Philippine Embassy officers and staff deputized by the COMELEC to serve as members of its electoral boards, as well as the technical and administrative support staff for their commitment to ensuring a transparent, fair, and safe Overseas Voting exercise while at the same time fulfilling their regular duties.

Ambassador De Vega likewise extended her appreciation to the Filipino community, particularly all voters, poll watchers, accredited media, and observers, and the support of the Korean government including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korean local police for the successful conduct of the elections. END

INAUGURAL PH-ROK JOINT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MEETING HELD

In this photo: Assistant Secretary Leah J. Buendia leads the Philippine delegation in the inaugural Philippines – Republic of Korea Joint Science and Technology Committee Meeting. Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega also joined the meeting. Forming part of the Philippine delegation are the following officials: Dr. Esperanza O Cayanan, Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, and Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora.

SEOUL, 4 MAY 2022 — The Philippines and the Republic of Korea held the inaugural Joint Science and Technology Consultation Meeting in hybrid format on 28 April 2022.

The inaugural Joint Science and Technology Consultation Meeting was led by Dr. Leah J. Buendia, Philippine Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT Director General of International Cooperation Mr. Kim Seong-gyu.

Both sides noted that the two countries have a great potential for cooperation in science and technology, especially in smart agriculture, climate change, and oceanography. The said topics will also be the initial focus for the expansion of partnership and proposed cooperation for both sides.

In her remarks, Assistant Secretary Buendia conveyed that scientific cooperation between the two countries firmed up early on when the Basic Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation was signed on 07 July 1981. Since then, both sides have seen significant progress in science, technology, and innovation (STI). The signing of the MOU on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the DOST and MSIT in 2018, and the ongoing partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT), and Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), among others, exhibit the Philippines’ continuing fruitful STI cooperation with the Republic of Korea. 



Ambassador Theresa De Vega also extended her congratulations on the convening of the inaugural PH-ROK JSTC and expressed that the 1st JSTC marks another milestone in our bilateral ties, as both sides seek to deepen PH-ROK relations through science, technology, and innovation. She likewise expressed high hopes for the invaluable partnership that will arise from the Philippines’ excellent science and technology quality talent and the ROK’s technical and digital competitiveness in the sciences.

At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to implement two (2) projects related to climate change and smart agriculture. The projects are expected to commence in September 2022 with DOST and MSIT providing total funding of USD 96,000 (approximately PHP 5M) for three (3) years.

The Philippine Embassy in Seoul congratulates the DOST and the MSIT on forging intensified Philippines and Korea Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) relations. The next JSTC shall be conducted in mid-2024 to be hosted by the Philippines.

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