GOVPH

OFWs IN SOUTH KOREA TO SECURE OEC THROUGH POPS-BAM

Seoul, 13 November 2021 – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, through POLO OWWA, spearheaded a webinar entitled “Let’s Do the POPS-BaM” on 12 November 2021 to introduce the POEA’s new e-Registration system to the OFWs in South Korea.

The webinar, which is the Embassy’s 3rd Labor Education series this year, provided step-by-step procedure on how OFWs can create their personal POEA account and secure their Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) online as Balik-Manggagawa.

According to Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega, the POEA Online Processing System – Balik Manggagawa or POPS-BaM offers a more efficient way of securing the OEC as it has become an integral part of the whole online registration and processing structure administered by POEA. “We are very fortunate to have the POEA’s Director Ken P. Sarmiento and Mr. George V. Parlan as resource speakers because they designed this new system and they can impart to you first-hand information, provide explanations and clarifications on creating and using one’s e-Registration account”, she said. Ambassador de Vega emphasized the importance of the digitalized form of OFW database in line with the government’s efforts to provide contact-less and online services to the public. “Having a complete, reliable and transparent database of OFWs is necessary for our country’s policy making and labor migration governance. It is equally important for our OFWs who will now have online access to POEA services and their employment records through the POPS-BaM”, the Ambassador said.

OFWs with e-Registration accounts, and who are vacationing and returning to the same employer can secure an automatic exemption certificate online through the said account. However, workers who changed their employers at the jobsite should make an appointment with POLO-Seoul to secure their OEC. An OFW must have one e-Registration account only and ensure correct/factual information. To make changes in one’s employment record, the OFW must file an electronic ticket for an appointment or to access the HelpDesk.

The webinar drew interest from over 100 OFWs via zoom and generated 5,000 views on FB live. It was also attended by the personnel of POLOs in the Asia and Pacific region.

Labor Attaché Maya Valderrama of POLO Korea encourages all OFWs in Korea to create and/or check the entries of their e-Registration accounts in advance to avoid inconvenience should there be need to correct or update information prior to securing their OEC. They may also call 3785-3634/5 for queries and view the recording of the webinar via the POLO-Korea FB page.END

Philippine Embassy in Seoul participated in the KOIMA CEO Seminar 14 to 17 November 2021

17 November 2021, Seoul - The Philippines was one of the four countries featured by the Korean Importers Association (KOIMA) in their recent CEO seminar held in Yeosu, Korea last November 16, 2021. The Philippine Embassy through the Philippine Agriculture Office and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center participated in the event by showcasing food, health and wellness, and beauty products at the venue. Around 40 CEOs participated in the seminar.

Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega delivered a congratulatory message during the event where she underscored the importance of Korea to Philippine exporters, and invited KOIMA to again organize a mission to the Philippines once travel between both countries are back to normal.

Commercial Counselor Jojie Dinsay and Agriculture Attaché Aleli Maghirang introduced the quality products on display which included specialty coconut based products, healthy snack foods, single origin chocolates and coffee, natural beauty products using virgin coconut oil, elemie oil and pili oil, sauces and spices for traditional Filipino cuisine and fruit based juices, concentrates, jams and snacks. Okra from the Philippines, which was recently allowed access to the Korean market, received strong interest together with VCO, elemie oil and pili oil products. END.

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR JOINS THE KOREA INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION CONFERENCE ON OCEANS AND FISHERIES 2021

Philippine Ambassador Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Vega attended the Korea International Cooperation Conference on Oceans and Fisheries (KICCOF) organized by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, the Korea Maritime Institute (KMI), and the Korea Institute of Oceans, Science & Technology (KIOST) from 9-10 November 2021 in Yeouido, Seoul.

Ambassador De Vega briefed the conference on the Philippines' maritime priorities and policy concerns on oceans and fisheries. Ambassador De Vega also expressed that the Philippines will continue to “turn to partners like the Republic of Korea in working together towards protecting the marine environment under these priorities, while at the same time ensuring that the economic needs of the nation are met.” She further underscored that balancing ecological, social and economic concerns and investing in sustainable ocean growth remain key principles to sustainable oceans and fisheries management.

Dr. Casiano Choresca of the Philippine Department of Agriculture's National Fisheries Research and Development Institute was also part of a KICCOF 2021 panel discussing the present situation and challenges of ASEAN and ROK Oceans & Fisheries official development assistance.

The Philippines is deeply committed to contributing to the preservation and protection of the oceans and seas. The Embassy of the Philippines in Korea is honored to be part of this very timely and worthy initiative that brings together respected professionals in the field of oceans and fisheries. END