Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Puts Forward Efforts to StrengthenPH-Republic of Korea Bilateral Relations
Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during a meeting with her counterpart, Republic of Korea Deputy Speaker Kim Young Joo on 27 March 2023. Joining the former President are members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc. (Photo courtesy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea)
SEOUL, 13 April 2023 – Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo met with her counterpart, Republic of Korea Deputy Speaker Kim Young Joo on 27 March 2023 to discuss how to further strengthen PH-ROK cooperation on important industries such as smart agriculture, labor, and renewable energy. The group also discussed technological innovations in infrastructure such as the development of smart cities.
The former President and Senior Deputy Speaker was joined by members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc including Deputy Speaker Aurelio D. Gonzales Jr., Rep. Lorna Silverio, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Rep. Anna York Bondoc, Rep. Angela Garcia, Rep. Mikaela Angela B. Suansing, Rep. Ivan Howard A. Guintu and Rep. Samuel Versoza Jr.
Deputy Speaker Kim was joined by Rep. Kwon SeongDong, Rep. Yang Geum Hee, and Rep. Han Joon-ho.
Members of the Philippine Congress expressed appreciation for the Republic of Korea’s on-going Official Development Assistance projects in their respective jurisdictions and hoped that ROK’s implementing agency, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), will get an increase in budget for their meaningful development work extended to districts in the Philippines. With agriculture as the main industry in Central Luzon, Philippine legislators looked forward to further cooperation between the Philippines and the Republic of Korea on agri-mechanization, smart farming, energy, and promotion of the Seasonal Workers Program (SWP).
At the end of the call, both sides recounted the shared values of the Philippines and the Republic of Korea and looked forward to closely working together especially for the upcoming 75th anniversary of Philippines - Republic of Korea relations.
Members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc and representatives from the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea after the bilateral meeting led by Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and ROK Deputy Speaker Kim Youngjoo. (Photo courtesy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea)
PH-ROK Parliamentary Friendship Committee Chairman Kim Sungwon and former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo at a friendship luncheon in the National Assembly, 27 March 2023. (Photo courtesy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea)
Furthermore, Philippine-Republic of Korea Parliamentary Friendship Committee Chairman Kim Sungwon hosted a luncheon in honor of former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on 27 March 2023. At the luncheon, both sides affirmed their commitment to strengthening Philippines-Republic of Korea Parliamentary relations especially in key areas of cooperation such as labor and agriculture.
Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was joined by members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc, Ambassador Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and investment officials of the Philippines from the Monetary Board of the Philippines and the Clark Development Corporation. For the Republic of Korea’s part, Rep. Kim Sungwon was joined by Rep. Min Hyungbae, Vice Chair of the PH-ROK Friendship Group, Rep. Lee Jong-Bae, Rep. Han Jun-Ho and Vice President of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) Park Chul-heung.
Held at the National Assembly’s Sarangjae Hanok Reception house, the lunch was a testament to the strong PH-ROK friendship in the legislative as well as the commitment of the members of the Philippine Congress to spur jobs and investments in their respective jurisdictions.
Senior Deputy Speaker Macapagal-Arroyo extended an invitation for the National Assembly members to visit the Philippines.
Strengthening PH-ROK Parliamentary Relations. Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Rep. Kim Sungwon are joined by their respective delegations. Sarangjae Reception House, National Assembly of Korea. (Photo courtesy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea)
(Photo courtesy of the Office of the Prime Minister)
Additionally, Prime Minister Han Ducksoo and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo affirmed closer Philippines-Republic of Korea cooperation at a dinner hosted by the Prime Minister and his wife, Mrs. Choi Ah-young at their official residence on 26 March 2023.
Joining the Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker we’re members of the Philippine Congress including Deputy Speaker Aurelio D. Gonzales, Jr, Rep. Lorna Silverio, Rep. Rodante Marcoleta, Rep. Ana York Bondoc, Rep. Joseph Violago, Rep. Glona Labadlabad, Clark Development Corporation President and CEO Agnes VST Devanadera, Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and Philippine Ambassador-designate to Austria Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas.
Friends from way back, both former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Macapagal-Arroyo and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo looked back fondly on old memories and the fast-paced and dynamic evolution of PH-ROK relations. Guests were also serenaded with classic Korean and Filipino music.
Top: Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo with Prime Minister Han Ducksoo. Bottom: Members of the Philippine delegation include the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc, PH Ambassador to Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, and PH Ambassador-designate to Austria Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Prime Minister)
Enjoying the Busan Breeze. Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and esteemed members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc during their short day-trip to Busan. The trip was hosted by the Busan Metropolitan Government. (Seoul PE photo)
Lastly, Former President and Senior Deputy Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo together with members of the Central Luzon Congressional Bloc visited Busan, Republic of Korea on 25 March 2023. The parliamentary delegation was welcomed by Busan Mayor Park Hyeong Joon, Busan Ambassador for International Relations Jaehyun Shin, and members of the Busan World Expo 2030 Committee.
Addressing officials from the Busan Metropolitan Government who welcomed the delegation, Senior Deputy Speaker Macapagal-Arroyo shared that since the time she was President, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea’s relations have continued to flourish through deeper partnership across all areas, from political, economic, to people-to-people ties. She likewise conveyed that the Republic of Korea will always hold a special place for the Philippines owing to our shared history of fighting for peace and stability during the Korean War.
Busan is the Republic of Korea’s second-largest city with a large Filipino migrant community. Mayor Park for his part assured the congressional delegation that the Busan Metropolitan Government will continue to work on strengthening PH-ROK relations in the years to come. END
For more information, visit https://www.seoulpe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.philembassy-seoul.com, or https://www.facebook.com/PHinKorea/.