Seoul, Republic of Korea – The Philippine Embassy in Seoul led by Ambassador-designate Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez received the courtesy call of the delegation from the Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP) on 24 September 2025. ULAP, as recognized by E.O. 351, s. 2004, is the umbrella organization of all leagues of local government units (LGUs) and leagues and federations of local elective and appointive officials. It serves as the focal representative and mouthpiece of the subnational government in all policy and program platforms to amplify a unified advocacy towards the strengthening of the LGUs into able partners in nation-building. 

Led by its National President and Quirino Province Governor Dakila “Dax” Cua, the ULAP delegation was in Seoul to represent the Philippines in the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) Asia Pacific Congress 2025 from 24 to 26 September 2025 at KINTEX, Goyang, Republic of Korea. Ahead of their participation in the UCLG ASPAC Congress 2025, Ambassador-designate Fernandez welcomed the ULAP delegation at the Embassy. She was joined by Deputy Head of Mission and Consul General Edwin Gil Q. Mendoza. 

In her welcome remarks, Ambassador-designate Fernandez recognized the unique role LGUs play in shaping solutions to present challenges facing our local communities and in laying the foundation for the Philippines’ presence and influence on the global stage, stressing that “true diplomacy begins at home, at our local governments.” She also reaffirmed the Embassy’s support to LGUs in pursuit of subnational diplomacy with key development partners such as the Republic of Korea, knowing its importance to advancing practical, inclusive, and effective responses to global issues such as climate change, agriculture, digitalization, good governance, and economic development. 

In response, Governor Cua thanked the Embassy for the warm welcome and steadfast support to Philippine local governments abroad. He said that “ULAP’s visit in Seoul is not only about attending the UCLG ASPAC Congress but also about ensuring that Philippine LGUs are part of global conversations on governance—not as an afterthought, but as equal partners in shaping solutions that truly matter to our people.” 

During the visit, Governor Cua was likewise re-elected as President of UCLG ASPAC. Governor Cua is the first Filipino to hold this position and will serve a second consecutive term from 2025 to 2027 as the head of the largest regional section of UCLG, with connections to more than 7,000 cities and local governments. 

The election took place at the UCLG ASPAC General Assembly, which gathered local government leaders from across 22 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. UCLG ASPAC represents more than 220 member cities, local governments, and associations, serving as the voice of local authorities in promoting decentralization, sustainable development, and inter-city cooperation. END