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AKLAN OFFICIALS COMPLETE TRAINING WITH KOICA-GWANGJU TO ADVANCE DISASTER RESPONSE GOVERNANCE


[Top Photos, L-R] Philippine Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez and Aklan Provincial Administrator Selwyn C. Ibarreta deliver congratulatory remarks during the 2026 KOICA Fellowship Program on 18 August 2026.

SEOUL, 18 August 2026 —Philippine Ambassador Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez highlighted the importance of uniting public and private sectors for disaster response, climate resilience, and sustainable development during the Fellowship of the 2026 KOICA Global Training Program: Capacity Building for Public-Private Governance on Community Volunteer Work in the Philippines (2024–2026) in Gwangju on 18 August 2026. Driven by urbanization and rising natural calamities in the Philippines, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of shifting the focus from reactive crisis management to proactive readiness, allowing communities to recover much faster through shared governance.

Fifteen (15) Philippine officials from Aklan Province are participating in a multi-week invitational training program running from 16 to 29 August 2026. This program marks the third and final stage of a three-year Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Global Training Project that was launched in 2024. The Aklan Province Officials are institutionalizing sustainable volunteering by enacting local ordinances, launching project plans, and building public-private cooperative governance inspired by Gwangju's local systems. END


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November 12, 2026
PH-ROK SPACE COOPERATION ADVANCES PHILIPPINE SPACE CAPABILITIES

SEOUL, 10 November 2026–Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez welcomed Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) Acting Director General Dr. Gay Jane P. Perez during a courtesy call at the Philippine Embassy on 19 October 2026, reaffirming the Embassy’s continued support for Philippine–ROK cooperation in space science and technology. Discussions highlighted the development of Philippine rocket capabilities, expanded satellite applications, and opportunities for cooperation with ROK government institutions and private sector partners. “Satellite technology is increasingly vital to disaster preparedness and response, particularly for a country as vulnerable to natural disasters as the Philippines. Strengthening our own space capabilities will allow us to better protect our communities, safeguard livelihoods, and build national resilience,” Ambassador Fernandez said. The Embassy also proudly welcomed the successful completion of the Sounding Rocket Know-How Transfer and Training Program by ten (10) Filipino engineers, who underwent intensive training with Perigee Aerospace in the assembly, integration, and testing of a liquid-fueled sounding rocket. Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza represented the Embassy at the completion ceremony on 20 October 2026 at Perigee Aerospace’s Rocket Development Complex in Okcheon, ROK. The program represents an important milestone toward the Philippines’ targeted demonstration rocket launch in Cagayan in early 2027. The presence of ROK and Philippine officials, including former ROK Ambassador to the Philippines and current Daegu International Relations Ambassador Lee Sang-hwa, Korea AeroSpace Administration Director for International Cooperation Jeong-hun Kim, PhilSA founding Director General Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr., and representatives of Perigee Aerospace led by Founder and CEO Dong Yoon Shin during this milestone underscored the strong partnership supporting the Philippines’ growing space sector. The Philippine Embassy remains committed to advancing bilateral space cooperation that develops Filipino expertise, strengthens national technological capabilities, and opens new opportunities in the space economy. END

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November 11, 2026
PHILIPPINES, ROK REVIEW ECONOMIC COOPERATION AHEAD OF ASEAN SUMMIT

SEOUL, 10 November 2026 — Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez met with Director General Jun-hyoung Bae of the ROK Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) on 3 November 2026 to review progress in bilateral economic cooperation and discuss opportunities to further strengthen trade and investment ties ahead of the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines.

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November 11, 2026
MOST REVEREND BISHOP MARCELINO ANTONIO “JUNIE” MARALIT JR. OF THE DIOCESE OF SAN PABLO LED THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST AT THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN SEOUL

Seoul, 09 November 2026 – Most Rev. Bishop Junie Maralit Jr. of the Diocese of San Pablo led the celebration of the Holy Eucharist at the Philippine Embassy in Seoul on 6 November 2026. Bishop Maralit emphasized the value of reaching out to our communities, listening with compassion, the importance of actively seeking out and doing the Good, and holding close to spiritual roots while away from home.

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