President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assured overseas Filipinos that his administration is working to make government services more accessible wherever they are in the world.
“My fellow Filipinos, I want to assure you, hindi namin kayo nakakalimutan (we have not forgotten you),” Marcos told a cheering crowd of overseas Filipinos during a gathering at the Grand Wyndham Busan ahead of his participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.
“We are working hard to make sure that government services reach you, all the way here in Korea or wherever you are,” he said.
Marcos announced that the Philippines will soon open a Consulate General in Busan — the country’s second in South Korea after the embassy in Seoul — to bring essential consular services closer to Filipinos in the southern region.
“Sa susunod na taon ay magbubukas na ang Philippine Consulate General dito (Next year, we will open our new Consulate here in Busan),” the President said.
“Soon, you will no longer need to travel all the way to Seoul to renew your passports, to submit civil registry documents, and to legalize your documents for use in the Philippines,” he added.
He also confirmed that a Social Security System office will open inside the Philippine Embassy in Seoul to make benefits and claims more accessible.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Seoul, more than 70,000 Filipinos are registered in South Korea as of June 2025.
Marcos, joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and members of his Cabinet, thanked the Filipino community for their hard work and continued support.
“Kahit malayo kayo, ramdam namin sa Pilipinas ang inyong suporta at malasakit (Even if you’re far away, we can feel your support and concern back home),” he said.
He added that the government aims to make overseas employment a choice rather than a necessity by building a stronger and more resilient Philippine economy.
The event took place ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Gyeongju, where Marcos is expected to highlight economic programs that promote sustainable jobs and protect migrant workers through global cooperation.