25 September 2023, Seoul-The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) led by Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan participated in the Global Infrastructure Cooperation Conference (GICC) 2023 held from 19 to 20 September 2023 in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Secretary Bonoan was joined by Ambassador Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Senior Undersecretary Emil K. Sadain, and Project Directors Benjamin A. Bautista and Ramon A. Arriola III during the two-day conference.

Now on its 11th year, the GICC continuous to serve as an important venue for government agencies, private companies and multilateral development banks to build network and share recent developments in the infrastructure sector. The conference was hosted by MOLIT and organized by the International Contractors Association of Korea (ICAK) and was attended by 60 delegates from 24 countries.

Secretary Bonoan delivered his congratulatory remarks at the opening of the GICC 2023 expressing appreciation to the ROK government for extending assistance to the Philippines' infrastructure projects. The ROK government, through the Korea Economic Development Cooperation Fund, assisted the Philippines in the completion of the Samar Pacific Coastal Road Project (SPCR), which was inaugurated on 13 July 2023 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. The Philippines continues to work with the Republic of Korea on various infrastructure projects to improve travel time and boost the Philippine economy.

Secretary Bonoan also led the Philippine delegation in a high-level bilateral meeting with Minister Hee-ryong Won of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to discuss upcoming infrastructure projects and other areas for cooperation. They also met with Korean construction companies and leaders of the infrastructure industry on the sidelines of the GICC 2023. END