EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC
OF THE PHILIPPINES

SEOUL REPUBLIC OF KOREA

news

PHILIPPINE AMBASSADOR AND KOREA MINISTER AGREE TO FORTIFY TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE COOPERATION

Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega and Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation (MOLIT) H.E. Park Sang-woo met to discuss transportation and infrastructure cooperation on 21 March 2025.

21 March 2025, Seoul – Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega assured Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transportation (MOLIT) H.E. Park Sang-woo of the Philippine commitment to fortifying transportation and infrastructure cooperation with the Republic of Korea through transformative projects that will improve connectivity in the Philippines, elevate the living standards of residents, and boost priority industries such as trade and tourism. 

The Philippines and the Republic of Korea are partners in numerous transportation and infrastructure projects including the North-South Commuter Railway, the MRT Line 7 project, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport rehabilitation, the Laguna Lakeshore Network Project, and the Bridges program of the Philippines including the Panay-Guimaras-Negros bridge. 

To further bolster PH-ROK partnership in transportation and infrastructure, Minister Park and Ambassador Dizon-De Vega agreed on the importance of exploring advancements, and opportunities in technology including in areas such as mechanical systems, engineering, and railways where the ROK is at the forefront. The Panguil Bay Bridge in Northern Mindanao, a flagship accomplishment completed through PH-ROK official development cooperation has won the prestigious Grand Prize at the Korean Institute of Bridge and Structural Engineering’s (KIBSE) 2024 Excellent Structure Awards. 

Minister Park also encouraged the Philippines to leverage official development assistance funding made available by the Republic of Korea through the Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF). 

Both sides also looked forward to continuing high-level exchanges on transportation and infrastructure to strengthen the partnership. The Republic of Korea is a key partner of the Philippines on projects requiring official development assistance under the Philippines’ Build Better More program.  

Ambassador Dizon De Vega was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario. ROK Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Affairs Nam Youngwoo, Construction Policy Bureau and Overseas Development Team Director Hwang Se-eun, and Policy Advisor to the Minister Myung Gu Jin. END 

Top: Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega and MOLIT Minister Park Sang-woo discuss PH-ROK cooperation on transportation and infrastructure. Ambassador Dizon De Vega was joined by Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario. Assistant Minister for Infrastructure Affairs Nam Youngwoo, Construction Policy Bureau and Overseas Development Team Director Hwang Se-eun, and Policy Advisor to the Minister Myung Gu Jin. Bottom: Ambassador Dizon-De Vega handed over a letter addressed to the MOLIT Minister from Philippine Secretary of Transportation Vivencio Dizon.


Tags
Economic Diplomacy Bilateral relations

Other News

December 03, 2025
PH EMBASSY IN KOREA SUPPORTS 14TH PH-ROK COAST GUARD BILATERAL MEETING, STRENGTHENING MARITIME COOPERATION

Incheon, Republic of Korea – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul participated in the 14th Bilateral Meeting between the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Korea Coast Guard (KCG) held in Incheon on 26 November 2025. 

Read More
December 02, 2025
PH AMBASSADOR DELIVERS CONCLUDING LECTURE ON DYNAMISM OF PH-ROK STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP AT BUSAN UNIVERSITY OF FOREIGN STUDIES

Busan, Republic of Korea – Ambassador-designate Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez delivered the concluding lecture of a series on Philippines–Republic of Korea (ROK) relations at the Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS) on 19 November 2025. The event brought together students of the Philippine Studies and International Studies programs, Filipino professors based in southern Seoul, and members of the Filipino community in Busan and surrounding areas.

Read More
December 01, 2025
LAUNCH OF BRP RAJAH LAKANDULA HIGHLIGHTS STRONG PH-ROK DEFENSE PARTNERSHIP

Ulsan, Republic of Korea – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul, led by Ambassador-designate Bernadette Therese Fernandez, joined the official launching of the BRP Rajah Lakandula on 20 November 2025 at the HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) shipyard in Ulsan, highlighting the expanding strategic and economic significance of the Philippine–Republic of Korea defense partnership, particularly in the area of defense industrial cooperation.  Representing the Philippines in the ceremony were Navy Vice Commander MGen Edwin E. Amadar, AFP Vice Chief of Staff LtGen Jimmy D. Larida, and Defense Procurement Service Chief Atty. Effie R. Agsaoay. The Ambassador-designate was also accompanied by officers of the Embassy, First Secretary and Consul Flaureen Dacanay, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, and Philippine Defense Attaché to the ROK Col. Don Templonuevo. HD HHI was led by President/COO of Naval & Medium Size Ship Building Business Unit Joo Wonho. In his remarks, Vice Commander Amadar emphasized that the vessel’s launch demonstrates the Philippine Navy’s commitment to a modern, credible, and self-reliant force capable of safeguarding national and regional stability. He also highlighted that the OPV program reflects the growing trust and cooperation between the Philippines and the ROK, built on shared values and a vision for long-term peace and security. Designed for long-range and sustained operations, the BRP Rajah Lakandula will support anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, disaster relief, and extended patrols across the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, significantly expanding Philippine maritime security coverage. Ambassador-designate Fernandez, in a ceremonial toast, reaffirmed that defense cooperation with the Republic of Korea is now an essential pillar of bilateral relations. She emphasized that naval modernization not only strengthens the Philippines’ security posture but also stimulates economic activity, facilitates technology partnerships, and supports Filipino workers in the ROK’s shipbuilding sector. In her discussions with HHI leadership, the Ambassador-designate commended the early delivery of Philippine vessels and underscored the importance of worker welfare and sustained defense industrial cooperation. The BRP Rajah Lakandula launch is a tangible example of how strategic defense partnerships can deliver both security capabilities and long-term economic value. The Philippine Embassy will continue to advance these priorities as part of its broader mandate to strengthen PH–ROK strategic partnership in the years ahead. END

Read More
VIEW ALL

© 2024 Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Seoul Republic of Korea. All rights reserved.

Powered by: