25 August 2024, Seoul. The Philippine Embassy in Seoul welcomed a 95-member delegation from the Liga ng Mga Barangay Bicol Regional Chapter consisting of barangay officials from the municipalities of Legazpi City, Pio Duran, and Daraga on their benchmarking activity in the Republic of Korea. The delegation was led by the Board Member Hisham B. Ismail, Regional LIGA President-Bicol Region.

On 21 August 2024, the delegation honored the sacrifices of the Philippine soldiers who served during the Korean War through a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Roll of Honors at the War Memorial of Korea (WMOK). Mr. Ismail and senior members of the delegation were joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha L. Olavario in a meeting with the Honorable Baek Seung-Joo, President of the War Memorial of Korea.

In their visit to the Embassy, the delegation was welcomed by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Minister and Consul General Romulo Victor Israel Jr. Ambassador Dizon-De Vega expressed her appreciation to the delegation for visiting the Embassy during a commemorative year of the 75th Anniversary of PH-ROK diplomatic relations. She likewise conveyed that among the tasks of the Embassy is to facilitate more active and impactful subnational cooperation between the Philippines and Korea.

The delegation likewise received a briefing from Agriculture Attache Lev Nikko Macalintal on Philippines-Korea agricultural relations with particular focus on the mandate of the Philippine Agriculture Office in Seoul (PAO-Seoul), agriculture data and PH-ROK agriculture projects. Agriculture Attache Macalintal also discussed possible agriculture engagement with the ROK which may interest the Bicol region.

The Philippine Embassy will continue to provide assistance to PH local government entities in their efforts to obtain best practices from ROK local governments that may be implemented in their respective areas. END